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San Juan Bautista · Buying & selling

Sewer lateral inspection in San Juan Bautista

San Juan Bautista's own rules on sewer lateral inspection, with the code text for every value.

Each rule below links to the section of the San Juan Bautista Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What San Juan Bautista's code says

San Juan Bautista code What San Juan Bautista's code adds
Deadline to comply
  • Inspection and testing must be done within 60 days of the City's notice.
    Applies: Applies unless the City sets a specific deadline.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    In the absence of a specific deadline, all inspection and testing work shall be completed within sixty (60) days of notification by the City that such inspection is required.
  • Repair or replacement must be done within 60 days of the City's notice.
    Applies: Applies unless the City Manager sets a specific deadline.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    In the absence of a specific deadline established by the City Manager, all repair or replacement work shall be completed within sixty (60) days of notification by the City that such repair or replacement is required.
Fee or permit
  • A City representative must inspect the sewer before it is covered or backfilled.
    Applies: Applies to a repaired or replaced building sewer.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    A replaced or repaired building sewer shall not be covered or backfilled until it has been inspected by a representative of the City.
  • The sewer must pass an air pressure test set by the City Manager.
    Applies: Applies to all new and repaired building sewers.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    All new and repaired building sewers must pass an air pressure test as specified by the City Manager.
When an inspection is required
  • Required when building a new structure on a property with an existing building sewer, or connecting a previously unconnected structure.
    Applies: Applies to new structures or new connections to an existing building sewer.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    When building a new structure on property with an existing building sewer, when otherwise proposing to connect a previously unconnected structure to an existing building sewer;
  • Required as a condition of approving a remodel the City estimates at $50,000 or more.
    Applies: Applies to building remodel projects estimated by the City at $50,000 or more.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    As a condition of approval of any building remodel project that is estimated by the City to cost fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more;
  • Required before close of escrow when the property is sold or ownership is otherwise transferred.
    Applies: Applies to sales and other transfers. Excused if the buyer signs a City-approved release and waiver.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    Prior to the close of escrow when the property is transferred via sale or other transfer of ownership by deed, instrument or writing, provided, the inspection and report requirement shall be excused if the buyer executes a release and waiver in a form approved by the City Manager;
  • Required when sewage from a building sewer reaches public property or another owner's property.
    Applies: Applies when the City finds such an overflow.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    Whenever the City finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a building sewer has reached public property, including but not limited to a City street or the City storm drain system, or has flowed onto private property owned by another property owner;
  • Required when a sewage overflow from a building sewer threatens public health.
    Applies: Applies when the City finds such a threat.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    Whenever the City finds that a sewage overflow emanating from a building sewer presents a threat to public health, even if it has not flowed across a property line.
  • Required when the City orders it because it knows or reasonably suspects the building sewer is defective.
    Applies: Applies when the City finds a possible defect during periodic sewer main construction or maintenance.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    The City may order the property owner to conduct an inspection, repair or replacement of any building sewer that the City knows or reasonably suspects to be defective.
How long a certificate lasts
  • After a complete replacement, no inspection is needed at sale for 10 years.
    Applies: Applies when the building sewer was completely replaced and the property is sold.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    When a building sewer is completely replaced, the property owner is not required to inspect the building sewer upon sale of the property for ten (10) years following the date of complete replacement of the building sewer.
Owner's responsibility
  • The owner must inspect the building sewer, give the City a report, and repair it if defective.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    Property owners shall inspect, and provide to the City a report of the results of an inspection of, the building sewers on their property prepared by a licensed plumber using closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection or other inspection or test method approved by the City Manager, and if found defective, repair the building sewers, as follows:
  • The owner pays the full cost of repairing or replacing the building sewer.
    Applies: Applies when the building sewer is defective.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    Whenever defective building sewers are found, the property owner, at the sole expense of the property owner, shall repair or replace the building sewer.
  • The owner or contractor is liable to the City for fines or costs from the resulting sewage spill.
    Applies: Applies when roots, grease or other material from maintenance or repair enters the sewer main and causes a spill.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    In the event that material is permitted to enter the main causing or contributing to the cause of a sewage spill, the property owner and/or contractor performing such maintenance work, in addition to any criminal penalties imposed, shall be held civilly liable to the City for any fines or other expenses incurred by the City resulting from the spill.
  • The City may recover its costs of responding to the overflow from the property owner.
    Applies: Applies to sewer overflows on private property.
    § 5-9-355 · code text
    The City shall have the authority to recover from a property owner the City’s expenses incurred in responding to sewer overflows on private property.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Does San Juan Bautista require a sewer lateral inspection when you sell a home?

San Juan Bautista's code: Required when building a new structure on a property with an existing building sewer, or connecting a previously unconnected structure. (Applies to new structures or new connections to an existing building sewer.) (§ 5-9-355); After a complete replacement, no inspection is needed at sale for 10 years. (Applies when the building sewer was completely replaced and the property is sold.) (§ 5-9-355).

General information, not legal advice.

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