Selling a house in South San Francisco, CA: what the city requires
San Mateo County, California · Last checked November 2026
South San Francisco requires a sewer lateral Certificate of Compliance before title transfer. If you cannot finish in time, a 180-day extension requires a $10,500 escrow deposit.
What South San Francisco requires
Sewer Lateral Compliance Certificate (SSFMC 14.14)
- Who does it
- Owner at their own expense. Any licensed contractor can film the lateral, and the city reviews the video.
- What is checked
- CCTV video of the lateral, emailed to the city with the inspection report and application.
- Cost
- Contractor video plus city processing fees. Repairs or replacement are extra.
- Valid for
- 10 years if no or partial repairs, 25 years after full replacement.
- Deadline
- Before transfer of title. Applies to listings contracted on or after June 21, 2022.
- If not done by closing
- Up to 180 days after recording, with a $10,500 deposit paid to the city or held in escrow. Funds are refunded once the certificate issues.
- Exempt
- Active certificate on file, Westborough Water District properties, multi-unit buildings sharing one lateral.
- HOA properties must comply unless an exemption applies.
- If the work is not done in 180 days, the city can keep the deposit after a hearing.
Who to call
South San Francisco Engineering Division
(650) 829-6652
Official page
Housing in South San Francisco
- Median year homes were built
- 1965
- Median home value
- $1,188,800
- Owner-occupied homes
- 12,878 of 21,838 (59%)
- Total housing units
- 23,515
Half the homes here were built in 1965 or earlier, so many sewer laterals are 61+ 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 South San Francisco city, California.
Need this done in South San Francisco?
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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 South San Francisco require before I sell my house?
South San Francisco requires a sewer lateral Certificate of Compliance before title transfer. If you cannot finish in time, a 180-day extension requires a $10,500 escrow deposit.
How much does the sewer lateral compliance certificate cost in South San Francisco?
Contractor video plus city processing fees. Repairs or replacement are extra. 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 if no or partial repairs, 25 years after full replacement.
What if the repairs are not finished before closing?
Up to 180 days after recording, with a $10,500 deposit paid to the city or held in escrow. Funds are refunded once the certificate issues.
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 South San Francisco?
The median home in South San Francisco was built in 1965, and the median home value is $1,188,800, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: San Francisco Bay Area
- Alameda Required at sale
- Albany Required at sale
- Belvedere Required at sale
- Berkeley Required at sale
- Castro Valley Required in some cases
- Corte Madera 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
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Sources
- City of South San Francisco, Sewer Lateral Point of Sale Ordinance Fact Sheet
- City of South San Francisco, Request for 180-day time extension (rev. Feb. 2, 2026)
- 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.