East Bay Municipal Utility District (Regional Private Sewer Lateral Program) · Sewer lateral · Before close
Triggered by: Sale or transfer of property; also building/remodel work over $100,000, or a change in water meter size
The property owner must test the private sewer lateral and repair or replace it as needed, then obtain a Compliance Certificate. The certificate should be issued for escrow to close.
Certificate
EBMUD PSL Compliance Certificate
Issued by
EBMUD — psl@ebmud.com, (866) 403-2683
Cost
EBMUD certificate fee per its published schedule; CCTV inspection typically $200-$500; repair or replacement commonly $3,000-$20,000+
Turnaround
Days once a passing test is submitted; weeks to months if repair or replacement is needed
Obtain a report from the Planning & Building Department showing the building permit history for the property, including which improvements have been approved.
Certificate
Property records search report
Issued by
City of Piedmont Planning & Building Department — 120 Vista Avenue, (510) 420-3050
Cost
$93
Turnaround
No physical inspection; confirm turnaround with the Department
City of Piedmont Planning & Building Department · Energy · Before listing
Triggered by: Home listed for sale on or after March 3, 2021
The seller must provide a Home Energy Assessment to prospective buyers and to the City. Either a Home Energy Score or a more detailed Home Energy Audit satisfies it, and the assessment must have been prepared within the past 5 years before the property is advertised or listed for sale.
Certificate
Home Energy Score or Home Energy Audit report
Issued by
Assessment by a BayREN-listed assessor or a local energy audit company; filed with Piedmont Planning & Building — (510) 420-3050
Cost
Home Energy Score typically $200-$500 (BayREN offers a $200 rebate); Home Energy Audit typically $500-$1,000
Turnaround
Must exist BEFORE the property is advertised or listed — schedule the assessor before the listing goes live
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