Unincorporated Santa Clara County septic / sewer connection at transfer — SOURCES CONFLICT
County of Santa Clara · Septic · Before close
Triggered by: Transfer of ownership of a property with an on-site sewage disposal system — DISPUTED, see notes
One source (the County's Onsite Systems Manual as filed with the Regional Water Board) describes a mandatory pre-transfer rule: properties MORE than 200 feet from an available public sewer require an inspection of the sewage disposal system and a written report before transferring more than 50% of the ownership interest, and properties WITHIN 200 feet must connect to the public sewer as a condition of close of escrow. The County Department of Environmental Health's current public pages do NOT state a transfer-triggered mandate — they describe a 300-foot threshold for when an on-site system is required at all, and say septic pumping and evaluation at sale is RECOMMENDED for disclosure purposes, not required.
Certificate
Sewage disposal system inspection report, or proof of sewer connection — if required at all
Issued by
County of Santa Clara Department of Environmental Health
Cost
Confirm with Environmental Health; septic inspection typically $400-$1,200, and a sewer connection is far more
Turnaround
Confirm with the County — a required sewer connection can take months and is a major cost
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