Selling a house in Richmond, CA: what the city requires
Contra Costa County, California · Last checked November 2026
In the Richmond Municipal Sewer District, the lateral must be camera-inspected and certified. Buyer and seller can agree who does it, but it must be compliant within 60 days of closing.
What Richmond requires
Certificate of Lateral Compliance (RMC 12.17)
- Who does it
- A state-licensed plumber runs a camera from the foundation to the city main. City staff review the video.
- Cost
- Plumber video and any replacement.
- Deadline
- Within 60 days after close of escrow, under a signed buyer-seller addendum sent to the city.
- Applies to
- Sale of a parcel served by the Richmond Municipal Sewer District.
- Parts of Richmond (the Richmond Annex) are served by Stege Sanitary District and follow EBMUD rules instead.
Who to call
City of Richmond Wastewater
Official page
Housing in Richmond
- Median year homes were built
- 1966
- Median home value
- $668,200
- Owner-occupied homes
- 22,321 of 40,806 (55%)
- Total housing units
- 42,509
Half the homes here were built in 1966 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 60+ 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 Richmond city, California.
Need this done in Richmond?
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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 Richmond require before I sell my house?
In the Richmond Municipal Sewer District, the lateral must be camera-inspected and certified. Buyer and seller can agree who does it, but it must be compliant within 60 days of closing.
How much does the certificate of lateral compliance cost in Richmond?
Plumber video and any 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.
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 Richmond?
The median home in Richmond was built in 1966, and the median home value is $668,200, 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
- Belvedere Required at sale
- Berkeley Required at sale
- Burlingame Required at sale
- Castro Valley Required in some cases
- Corte Madera Required at sale
- Crockett Required at sale
- El Cerrito Required at sale
- Kensington Required at sale
- San Pablo Required at sale
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Sources
- City of Richmond, Sewer Lateral Compliance Ordinance (RMC 12.17)
- 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.