Selling a house in Hillsborough, CA: what the city requires
San Mateo County, California · Last checked November 2026
Hillsborough sellers must video-inspect the sewer lateral before close of escrow under the town's 2012 ordinance.
What Hillsborough requires
Sewer lateral inspection (2012 ordinance)
- Who does it
- Licensed contractor.
- What is checked
- Video inspection of the lateral. A water test can apply where the lateral meets the main in a street right-of-way.
- Deadline
- Before close of escrow.
Who to call
Town of Hillsborough Public Works
Official page
Housing in Hillsborough
- Median year homes were built
- 1970
- Median home value
- $2 million or more
- Owner-occupied homes
- 3,375 of 3,610 (93%)
- Total housing units
- 3,821
Half the homes here were built in 1970 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 56+ 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 Hillsborough town, California.
Need this done in Hillsborough?
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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 Hillsborough require before I sell my house?
Hillsborough sellers must video-inspect the sewer lateral before close of escrow under the town's 2012 ordinance.
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 Hillsborough?
The median home in Hillsborough was built in 1970, 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
- Burlingame Required at sale
- Daly City 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
- 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.