Healdsburg requires a video inspection of your private sewer lateral when certain things happen: a remodel with a building permit of $25,000 or more, a repair, an overflow, or a service call that finds roots or damage. Selling a home, by itself, is not one of them. Here's the plain-English version of the city's sewer lateral rules (Municipal Code Chapter 13.20), from a licensed local plumber.
Start here
Under Municipal Code §13.20.465, the property owner must have the private sewer lateral (the pipe from the building to the city main) inspected by camera, at the owner's expense, when any of these happens.
A plumber or drain cleaner working on the lateral finds root intrusion or permanent damage, such as an offset or separated joint.
What happens after the callA building permit valued at $25,000+, unless the lateral was inspected and certified in the last 20 years. ADA work and required fire sprinklers don't count toward the total. Must be done before final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
Book a camera inspectionA single overflow caused by the private lateral or a private sewer main.
Call (707) 892-0150Residential to non-residential, a non-residential change that increases flow, or reoccupying a non-residential building vacant more than three years.
Repairing or replacing any part of the sewer lateral triggers an inspection of the line.
See sewer line repairSignificant repair or replacement of the city sewer main your lateral connects to.
Not on the list: selling a home. A sale alone does not trigger an inspection under this ordinance.
Reviews
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Pass or fail
A lateral passes when the video and tests show all of these.
How it works
The city sets the steps. Here's what to expect from start to certificate.
The city must be told the inspection date at least 7 calendar days ahead.
The lateral is thoroughly cleaned first, then videoed by a licensed contractor who holds a City of Healdsburg business license. The video opens with the address and a photo of the building.
The video goes to Public Works with a review fee. If there are defects, the city sends a notice listing the repairs; a second video confirms the work.
A Certificate of Private Sewer Lateral Compliance means no further testing for 20 years, unless there's an overflow, a repair, a change of use or main work. An inspection is valid for six months.
From a Healdsburg job
This is a two-way cleanout we installed on a Healdsburg lateral. Two-way means a camera or cleaning cable can go in either direction: toward the house or toward the city main. The yellow cap is a test plug that seals the line so it can be checked for leaks.
Good to know
The ordinance also requires any sewer service provider working in Healdsburg (any plumber or drain cleaner, not just us) to file a short report with Public Works within three business days of a qualifying service call: one where roots or permanent damage are found.
The city then notifies the property owner that an inspection is required. We'd rather you hear that from us up front than be surprised by a letter.
Based on Healdsburg Municipal Code Chapter 13.20 as amended by Ordinance No. 1205 (2020), which updated the original 2013 ordinance (No. 1127) (§§13.20.015, 13.20.460, 13.20.465, 13.20.520), as posted on the City's Sewer Lateral Ordinance page. Checked October 12, 2026. Confirm current requirements with Healdsburg Public Works for a specific property.
Mention the code when you call, or add it to the notes when you book online.
Seniors 65 and older
10% off
For neighbors 65 and older. Mention the code when you book.
Residential only. One per household. Specials cannot be combined with each other or with any other discount.
Not because of the sale alone. The ordinance's triggers are a qualifying service call, a building permit of $25,000 or more, an overflow, certain changes of use, a lateral repair, or city main work. A buyer may still ask for a camera inspection as part of their own due diligence.
When the building permit is valued at $25,000 or more and the lateral hasn't been inspected and certified in the last 20 years. ADA work and required fire sprinklers don't count toward the $25,000. Get the inspection done early: the certificate is needed before final inspection or certificate of occupancy.
Twenty years, unless there's a sewage overflow, a repair or replacement of the lateral, a change of use, significant main work, or the city has reason to believe the lateral is defective.
A licensed contractor qualified for video inspection who holds both a California contractor's license and a City of Healdsburg business license.
You'll need one to pass: a cleanout within 5 feet of the building and one at the property line. It's usually part of the repair scope if the lateral is being worked on anyway.
The city must be told the inspection date at least 7 calendar days ahead. The lateral is cleaned first, then videoed, and the video goes to Public Works with a review fee. An inspection is valid for six months.
If there are defects, the city sends a notice listing the repairs, and a second video confirms the work. Once the lateral passes, the Certificate of Private Sewer Lateral Compliance means no further testing for 20 years, with the exceptions above. See our sewer line repair options.
Yes. Any sewer service provider working in Healdsburg must file a short report with Public Works within three business days of a qualifying service call, one where roots or permanent damage are found. The city then notifies the property owner that an inspection is required.
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