Selling a house in Belvedere, CA: what the city requires
Marin County, California · Last checked November 2026
Belvedere requires a Residential Building Record Report before a sale, and Sanitary District No. 5 requires the sewer lateral to be inspected when a property is listed for sale.
What Belvedere requires
Residential Building Record Report
- Who does it
- City of Belvedere
- Cost
- $300 per the 2026 title-company list
Sewer lateral inspection (Sanitary District No. 5, Ordinance 2014-02a)
- Who does it
- Owner hires a contractor. The district issues a permit confirming compliance.
- Applies to
- Listing the property for sale, a building permit, or district sewer road work. In effect since March 4, 2015.
- Exempt
- Laterals installed or replaced in the last 20 years, or inspected in the last 3 years.
Who to call
City of Belvedere
(415) 435-3838
Official page
Housing in Belvedere
- Median year homes were built
- 1959
- Median home value
- $2 million or more
- Owner-occupied homes
- 602 of 886 (68%)
- Total housing units
- 1,081
Half the homes here were built in 1959 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 67+ years old and made of clay or cast iron. Older laterals are the ones most likely to fail a test, so budget for a camera inspection before you list.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Belvedere city, California.
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How the city presale report process works
Some California cities require a presale records report before escrow closes. It tells the buyer what the city has on file: legal use, permits, open violations, and sometimes items found on an inspection.
- Order the report from the city as soon as you list. Processing can take days to weeks.
- Read it for unpermitted work or open violations. These are the items that slow a sale.
- Give the report to the buyer before the deadline in the city ordinance, usually before close of escrow.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| City report fee | $0 to $1,050, depending on the city |
Read the full city presale report guide
How the sewer lateral process works
A sewer lateral is the private pipe that carries wastewater from the house to the public sewer main. Many California cities and sanitary districts make sellers prove it does not leak before title can transfer.
- Check whether a valid certificate is already on file for the address. If it is, you may be done.
- Hire a licensed plumber or sewer contractor to video (CCTV) the lateral and, where required, run an air or water pressure test.
- If the lateral fails, the contractor pulls a permit and repairs or replaces it. Many agencies send their own inspector to witness the final test.
- The city or district issues the compliance certificate, and escrow can close.
- If you run out of time, ask about a time extension. These usually require a refundable deposit and a firm deadline after closing.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Video inspection or pressure test | $250 to $750 |
| Spot repair | $1,500 to $10,000 |
| Full lateral replacement | $8,000 to $25,000 or more |
Read the full sewer lateral guide
Other towns with the same requirement: Sewer lateral video or dye test
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does Belvedere require before I sell my house?
Belvedere requires a Residential Building Record Report before a sale, and Sanitary District No. 5 requires the sewer lateral to be inspected when a property is listed for sale.
How much does the residential building record report cost in Belvedere?
$300 per the 2026 title-company list Typical related costs: city report fee $0 to $1,050, depending on the city.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in Belvedere?
The median home in Belvedere was built in 1959, and the median home value is $2 million or more, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: San Francisco Bay Area
- Alameda Required at sale
- Albany Required at sale
- Belmont No point-of-sale rule
- Berkeley Required at sale
- Burlingame Required at sale
- Castro Valley Required in some cases
- Corte Madera Required at sale
- Crockett Required at sale
- Daly City Required at sale
- Ross Required at sale
- Sausalito Required at sale
- Tiburon Required in some cases
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Sources
- WFG National Title, Presale Inspection Reports 2026 (cities that require a building report)
- Sanitary District No. 5 of Marin County, Sewer Lateral Inspections (Ordinance 2014-02a)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.