Selling a house in Burlingame, CA: what the city requires
San Mateo County, California · Last checked November 2026
Burlingame requires a passing, city-witnessed sewer lateral test before a sale can close. The rule dates to 1986.
What Burlingame requires
Sewer lateral test (Ordinance 1329)
- Who does it
- Licensed contractor, with a city representative present.
- What is checked
- Water or air pressure test of the lateral.
- Cost
- Testing typically runs a few hundred dollars. Roughly half of tested homes have needed repair or replacement.
- Valid for
- 10 years after a pass, 25 years after replacement.
- Deadline
- Before close of escrow.
- Exempt
- Condominiums, and laterals that passed in the last 10 years.
Who to call
Burlingame Public Works
Official page
Housing in Burlingame
- Median year homes were built
- 1957
- Median home value
- $2 million or more
- Owner-occupied homes
- 5,915 of 12,266 (48%)
- Total housing units
- 13,798
Half the homes here were built in 1957 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 69+ 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 Burlingame city, California.
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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 Burlingame require before I sell my house?
Burlingame requires a passing, city-witnessed sewer lateral test before a sale can close. The rule dates to 1986.
How much does the sewer lateral test cost in Burlingame?
Testing typically runs a few hundred dollars. Roughly half of tested homes have needed repair or replacement. Typical related costs: 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.
How long is it valid?
10 years after a pass, 25 years after replacement.
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 Burlingame?
The median home in Burlingame was built in 1957, 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
- Daly City Required at sale
- Hillsborough Required at sale
- Menlo Park No point-of-sale rule
- Millbrae Required at sale
- Pacifica Required at sale
- San Bruno Required in some cases
- San Carlos No point-of-sale rule
- San Mateo Required at sale
- South San Francisco Required at sale
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Sources
- City of Burlingame, Public Works (Sewer Lateral Test Ordinance 1329)
- Burlingame Properties, The Burlingame, Hillsborough and San Mateo sewer lateral tests
- 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.