Town of Hillsborough · Sewer lateral · Before close
Triggered by: Time of sale of the property
A sewer lateral test with Town Public Works review is required at the time of sale of property.
Certificate
Sewer lateral test approval / Public Works review
Issued by
Town of Hillsborough Public Works — (650) 375-7444
Cost
Town fee per the current Master Fee Schedule — listed at $205 in FY14/15 and $255 in FY12/13, and an industry chart quotes $230. CONFIRM THE CURRENT AMOUNT with Public Works; plus inspection and any repair cost.
Turnaround
A Town representative must review; allow lead time
Chimney spark arrestor certification before transfer of title
Central County Fire Department (Burlingame, Millbrae, Hillsborough) · Retrofit · Before close
Triggered by: Sale or transfer of real property on which any chimney is located
Every chimney must contain the required spark arrestor, properly installed and in proper working order, and an inspector report must be filed with the Fire Code Official certifying that the work and/or inspection has been performed. Burlingame's code is unusually blunt about the consequence: "the transfer of title may not be made until" both are done. Central County Fire Department publishes a combined form covering spark arrestor(s) and smoke alarms for the transfer or sale of real property across all three jurisdictions.
Certificate
Inspector report filed with the Fire Code Official; CCFD transfer/sale statement of compliance form
Issued by
Central County Fire Department — Julie Parenti, jparenti@ccfd.org, (650) 558-7648
Triggered by: Sale of any real property containing a water heater
The seller must certify to the prospective purchaser that the water heater is braced, anchored or strapped to resist falling or horizontal displacement from earthquake motion.
Certificate
Seller certification (commonly satisfied on the C.A.R. Water Heater and Smoke Detector Statement of Compliance, form WHSD)
Issued by
Seller certifies; no agency sign-off required
Cost
No government fee; bracing kit and labor typically $30-$300
Triggered by: Every single-family dwelling which is sold
The dwelling must have an operable smoke alarm, approved and listed by the State Fire Marshal, installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Seller certifies compliance.
Triggered by: Standing obligation on single-family homes built on or before January 1, 1994, plus disclosure on sale or transfer
All non-compliant plumbing fixtures had to be replaced with water-conserving fixtures by January 1, 2017 — this deadline applies whether or not the property is being sold or altered. On sale or transfer, the seller must disclose to the buyer the requirement and whether the property complies.
Certificate
Written disclosure to the buyer; some jurisdictions use a Certificate of Compliance form
Issued by
Seller discloses; no state agency sign-off
Cost
No state fee; fixture replacement typically $50-$600
State of California / local fire authority · Defensible space · Can defer past close
Triggered by: Sale of a property located in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone
The seller must provide the buyer with documentation that the property is in compliance with defensible space requirements under Public Resources Code § 4291. If the seller does not have that documentation, the seller and buyer must enter into a written agreement under which the BUYER obtains compliance documentation within one year of close of escrow.
Certificate
Defensible space compliance documentation / inspection report from the local fire authority
Issued by
Local fire department or CAL FIRE
Cost
Varies by fire authority. Santa Rosa Fire Department charges $183 for a requested inspection.
Turnaround
Varies; request inspections early — fire departments are not obligated to inspect