Rules by state
California
California does not use one statewide resale inspection or sewer-lateral-at-sale rule; requirements are mostly local. Cities and sanitary districts use different models, including residential resale-record inspections, occupancy/inspection certificates, and sewer-lateral compliance before closing or utility transfer. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State law
- California has authorized city resale-record ordinances since 1969, and building-code enforcement is generally handled by local jurisdictions that adopt Title 24 and any local amendments; no statewide uniform resale inspection or sewer-lateral-at-sale mandate was found. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
Official resources in California
California State Auditor — Residential Building Records
Explains California’s resale-record authority and how city resale inspection programs differ.
California Building Standards Commission — Frequently Asked Questions
Confirms that local building or planning departments generally enforce Title 24 and local amendments.
City of Morgan Hill — Utility Inspections at Property Sale
Shows a current California city process for sewer-lateral and fixture inspections, certificates, exemptions, and buyer assumption.
Oro Loma Sanitary District — Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program
Explains a district point-of-sale sewer-lateral certificate program, escrow timing, and extension options.
City of San Bruno — Frequently Asked Questions
Gives a current example of a city point-of-sale sewer-lateral inspection requirement tied to property age.
Key facts for California
- Since 1969, California law has authorized cities to adopt residential resale-record ordinances before sale. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
- The State Auditor identified at least 43 California cities with resale-record ordinances as of January 2015, mainly in the Bay Area and Southern California. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
- California resale programs vary: some cities only issue permit-history reports, some inspect only exteriors, and some perform interior and exterior inspections. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
- Pasadena issues a Certificate of Inspection authorizing occupancy; San Rafael and Novato may let seller or buyer assume violation corrections. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
- Morgan Hill allows seller and buyer to notarize a Transfer of Responsibility form if the sewer-lateral or fixture inspection fails. ([morganhill.ca.gov](https://morganhill.ca.gov/2302/Utility-Inspections-at-Property-Sale))
- Oro Loma requires a sewer-lateral compliance certificate for sales entering escrow on or after August 1, 2026; a TEC can extend post-transfer submittal by 30 days. ([orolomasanitarydistrict.ca.gov](https://orolomasanitarydistrict.ca.gov/private-sewer-lateral-inspection-program))
Cities with sale-triggered rules in California
| City | program | type | fee | valid | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alameda Alameda | Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Alameda participates in the EBMUD regional program, and in Alameda the owner is responsible for the upper lateral only. |
| Albany Alameda | Upper Sewer Lateral Program | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Albany is in the Regional PSL Program and its city page makes clear the owner is responsible for the upper lateral only. |
| Berkeley Alameda | Private Sewer Lateral | sewer lateral | — | — | In most cases repairs and a Sewer Lateral Certificate must be completed before transfer of title, but the City may grant a six-month extension. |
| Emeryville Alameda | Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program / Sewer Lateral Permit | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Emeryville lists sale of property as a trigger, and the verification test cannot occur until the City PW inspector has completed the required permit inspection step. |
| Mill Valley Marin | Sewer Lateral Ordinance | sewer lateral | $428.53 | 20 years if installed or fully replaced; 3 years if repaired | Mill Valley requires inspection when a property is sold unless the line was originally installed or fully replaced within the last 20 years or repaired within the last three years. |
| Morgan Hill Santa Clara | Utility Inspections at Property Sale | interior+exterior | — | 10 years | If the inspection fails, buyer and seller may notarize a Transfer of Responsibility Form and the buyer gets 180 days after utility service starts to complete repairs. |
| Oakland Alameda | Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Oakland's sewer management plan states that a property owner is required to obtain a Compliance Certificate before transferring property title. |
| Oro Loma Sanitary District Alameda | Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program | sewer lateral | $450 | up to 10 years; 20 years for full replacement | If work cannot be finished before closing, a time-extension certificate must be requested before escrow closes. |
| Piedmont Alameda | Private Sewer Laterals / Regional PSL Program | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Piedmont lists sale of the property as a trigger and requires a city permit even when the work is only an EBMUD verification test. |
| Pinole Contra Costa | Sanitary Sewer Lateral | sewer lateral | — | 10 years | The sale of a home triggers Pinole's ordinance, and the city issues a Certificate of Compliance after reviewing the video and any required repairs. |
| Richmond Contra Costa | Certificate of Lateral Compliance | sewer lateral | — | 15 years | Whenever property is transferred in Richmond, the sewer lateral must be tested and all needed repairs or replacements completed before title transfer. |
| Salton Community Services District Imperial | Building Sewer Lateral Compliance | sewer lateral | — | 10 years | Repairs or replacement triggered by a non-probate sale must be completed before close of escrow, while probate-type transfers get 180 days. |
| San Bruno San Mateo | Point of Sale Sewer Lateral Requirement | sewer lateral | — | — | If the home is over 50 years old, the sewer lateral must be inspected and certified by the City before it is sold. |
| San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo | Lateral Inspections | sewer lateral | — | 5 years | Inspection is required upon change in ownership and before escrow, and the city's FAQ says the current owner is responsible even though buyer and seller may negotiate in escrow. |
| San Pablo Contra Costa | Residential Health & Safety Inspection / Resale Certificate of Compliance | U&O certificate | — | expires at closing or 12 months after issuance, whichever occurs first | San Pablo's official resale inspection page says the Resale Certificate of Compliance expires when the sale, transfer, or assignment is completed, or after 12 months. |
| Santa Cruz Santa Cruz | Sewer Lateral Ordinance | sewer lateral | — | 5 years; 20-year exemption for certain replaced/newer laterals | Before selling a property, the owner must have the sewer lateral inspected by an authorized inspector, make any necessary repairs, and submit an inspection form to verify compliance. |
| Stege Sanitary District Contra Costa | Private Sewer Lateral Program | sewer lateral | — | 7 years; 20 years if completely replaced | Stege says owners must obtain a Certificate of Compliance upon transfer of title, significant remodel of $100,000 or more, or change in water meter size. |
| Ventura Ventura | Inspection Program | sewer lateral | — | 10 years | The inspection report and DVD must be submitted before close of escrow, and buyer and seller may agree who handles repairs within roughly six months of sale. |
| West County Wastewater Contra Costa | Certificate of Compliance (sewer lateral compliance) | sewer lateral | — | — | Owners selling or transferring a home in the WCW service area must obtain a Certificate of Compliance before sale. |
What to do next
- Check your city building department and any local sanitary district, because California enforcement is usually local rather than statewide. ([dgs.ca.gov](https://www.dgs.ca.gov/en/BSC/Resources/Frequently-Asked-Questions?utm_source=openai))
- Before opening escrow, ask whether your property needs a resale-record report, occupancy/inspection certificate, or sewer-lateral certificate. ([information.auditor.ca.gov](https://information.auditor.ca.gov/reports/2015-134/introduction.html))
- If problems are found, ask whether your locality allows buyer assumption, a transfer form, or a time-extension certificate before closing. ([morganhill.ca.gov](https://morganhill.ca.gov/2302/Utility-Inspections-at-Property-Sale))
Helpful guides
- What is a point-of-sale inspection?
- Point-of-sale inspection vs. a buyer's home inspection
- Minnesota Truth-in-Sale-of-Housing (TISH) evaluations explained
- Ohio point-of-sale inspections: how the Cleveland-area programs work
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