City Home Rules

Selling a house in Tiburon, CA: what the city requires

Marin County, California · Last checked November 2026

Required in some cases

In the part of Tiburon east of Gilmartin Drive, served by Sanitary District No. 5, the sewer lateral must be inspected when a property is listed for sale.

What Tiburon requires

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, for homes east of Gilmartin Drive.
Exempt
Laterals installed or replaced in the last 20 years, or inspected in the last 3 years.

Who to call

Sanitary District No. 5 of Marin County
Official page

Housing in Tiburon

Median year homes were built
1970
Median home value
$2 million or more
Owner-occupied homes
2,628 of 3,510 (75%)
Total housing units
3,974

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 Tiburon town, California.

Need this done in Tiburon?

Get quotes from a local sewer lateral contractor, help with repairs, or a cash offer to sell as-is. We pass your request to independent local providers. Free, no obligation.

What do you need?

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.

  1. Check whether a valid certificate is already on file for the address. If it is, you may be done.
  2. Hire a licensed plumber or sewer contractor to video (CCTV) the lateral and, where required, run an air or water pressure test.
  3. 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.
  4. The city or district issues the compliance certificate, and escrow can close.
  5. If you run out of time, ask about a time extension. These usually require a refundable deposit and a firm deadline after closing.
Typical cost ranges (estimates, not quotes)
ItemTypical 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 Tiburon require before I sell my house?

In the part of Tiburon east of Gilmartin Drive, served by Sanitary District No. 5, the sewer lateral must be inspected when a property is listed for sale.

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 Tiburon?

The median home in Tiburon 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

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Sources

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.