• When a property owner submits a building permit application for improvements valued at $50,000 or more over a cumulative three-year period, or when the permit improvements involve legalizing or constructing ADU, size change of a water meter or install of fire sprinklers, fixture count change, or District manager request.
• When a property is sold or has any transfer of property title. Note: There are 2 start times for the 180 days compliance division; 1) Is notice of repair, 2) Is the date of close of escrow which whatever comes first will trigger the 180 days compliance.
• When a sewage overflow, malfunction or other public health threat occurs at a property as determined by the SD2 staff. 
• When the sewer main is being improved or the road above a resident’s sewer lateral is being paved as part of a Capital Improvement Project led by the Town of Corte Madera, Sanitary District No. 2 or other government agency. 

For more information on testing and other standards and specifications, please click here. 

Do I have to be a licensed contractor to perform work in the Town of Corte Madera? 

In order to perform work for the Town of Corte Madera and Sanitary District No. 2, you have to be a contractor licensed by the State of California. Work on public property, streets, roads and other rights-of-way shall be performed only by duly licensed contractors. To find out how to get a state contractors license, please visit the Department of Consumer Affairs Contractors State License Board (CSLB) website.

CSLB has Licensing Classifications. To learn about CSLB licensing classifications, please click here. For your convenience, we have listed our Classification requirements here. 

1. All sewer work requiring shoring shall be performed by a licensed contractor holding an A Classification and/or C-34 Classification.
2. All work on private sewer laterals shall be performed by a licensed contractor holding an A Classification, C-34 Classification, C-36 Classification and/or C-42 Classification.
3. All trench work and pavement repairs within any public right-of-way shall be performed by a licensed contractor holding an A Classification, C-12 Classification, and/or C-34 Classification.
4. All CCTV work and inspection reports shall be performed by a licensed plumber, contractor or technician with a current NASSCO Certification (To learn about their certification training and education, click here).

Property owners may perform private sewer work on their own property. 

For more information on SD2 regulations and other standards and specifications, please click here. 

What is NASSCO?

 
NASSCO stands for National Association of Sewer Service Companies. NASSCO is an association that brings together professionals dedicated to evaluating and repairing sewers. Our members combine their practical experience and technical expertise in a non-competitive environment to set standards and make sure work is done right.  NASSCO addresses issues quickly while also providing training, networking, and committee participation opportunities. Even one member can make a positive impact on the entire sewer industry.

NASSCO is committed to setting industry standards for the assessment, maintenance and rehabilitation of underground infrastructure, and to assure the continued acceptance and growth of trenchless technologies.

To learn more about NASSCO, please visit their website by clicking here. 

What is the 180-day extension? 

It is the grace period between the time you have your private sewer lateral (PSL) tested and repaired or replaced if required. Property owners with portions of shared laterals may apply for a one-time, 180-day extension that is intended to assist with additional time to schedule needed repairs or replacements. If you are wondering if this extension can apply to you, please contact our Associate Civil Engineer, Fernanda Stefanick by calling 415-927-5792 or via email at fstefanick@tcmmail.org 

Do I need to pass a pressure test to comply with the Private Sewer Lateral (PSL) Ordinance? 

Yes. The only way to test and verify that the PSL is free of leakage is by passing a pressure test.

Do I need a sewer permit for a pressure test? If so, how much does it cost?

Yes. You still need a sewer permit for a pressure test. The cost is $150 per inspection if there is no work to be done on the PSL.  If you already have a sewer permit to do a spot repair or full replacement, the inspection fee is already included in the permit fees.

Is the CCTV a test? 

No. CCTV  standards for closed-circuit television and is an inspection that is necessary in order to verify the condition of the PSL before the actual test is conducted. 

How long is my PSL inspection certification good for? 

For a complete replacement, after passing a pressure test, your PSL inspection certification is good for 10 years. With a previous record of replacement, your PSL is good for 10 years from the date of installation on record. For all others, the PSL inspection certification is good for 3 years. 

If I have a shared lateral do I need to inspect and test my PSL or am I exempt?

Yes. You still need to inspect and test your PSL. However, portions of shared laterals may apply for a one-time 180-day extension to assist owners with additional time to schedule needed repairs or replacement. If you are wondering if this extension can apply to you, please contact our Associate Civil Engineer, Fernanda Stefanick by calling 415-927-5792 or via email at fstefanick@tcmmail.org 

My property is part of a Homeowners Association (HOA) and the HOA is responsible to maintain my PSL. What do I need to do?

Inform the HOA that your PSL needs inspection and ask them if they already submitted the video and tested the sewer line. If so, they need to provide you with a copy of the letter that states that the HOA is in compliance with the PSL ordinance. You should then submit a copy of the letter to Sanitary District No. 2 (SD2).
If the HOA did not inspect and test the sewer line, the HOA will need to do it and submit it to SD2 for review. The HOA should also send you a letter stating that it is in the process of sending a video and testing the sewer line and that it is also working with SD2 for compliance. You should submit a copy of that letter to SD2.

If I only need to install a backwater prevention device do I still need a sewer permit for the installation? If so, how much does it cost?

Yes, you still need a sewer permit. The cost is $300 (When filling out the sewer permit application, make sure you say that the permit is for a spot repair) and the permit fee includes the approval of the work and inspection fees for the test.

Do I need to do a compaction test if the Town is doing a paving project on the street?

Yes. It’s also part of the revised encroachment permit so it should be standard on all projects in the right-of-way.

Is the property owner responsible for the connection to the District's sewer main (wye, tee, tap pipe fittings, etc.)? 

Yes. The property owner is responsible for the connection to the District's sewer main. "Lateral sewer" (sometimes referred to as "lateral," "sewer lateral," "side sewer," "sewer service lateral" "building sewer" or "private sewer lateral ") means a privately owned sewer which conveys sewage from a building to the district's collection system, including all pipes, fittings, and appurtenances, from the outer face of the building served to the connection into the district's sewer main, including the connection itself. To learn more about definitions related to the PSL ordinance, please click here. 

Why were we, the homeowners, not consulted or informed sooner about htis Rehabilitation Project as well as about the "2018 Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance for Sanitary District No. 2" that triggered the project?

The new private sewer lateral (PSL) ordinance was discussed publicly at numerous Town Council/Sanitary Board events and a dedicated PSL public workshop was held in January 2019, see link to presentation materials and video recordings here. Public Works appreciates your feedback about the construction project and will strive to improve communications moving forward. The letter that you recently received provides approximately 9-10 months for homeowners to complete the required pressure test or replace their PSL’s. We felt this was ample time but if property owners have a hardship with meeting this deadline we are willing to work with them on a case by case basis and are open to possible time extensions, where justified.

Since the Ordinance was presumably written in 2018, were public hearings held? Were all the residents affected invited by mail to attend?  Were all residents informed that we’d be financially responsible for our own sewer lateral repairs, if and when “…the sewer main is being improved or the road above a resident’s sewer lateral is being paved as part of a Capital Improvement Project led by the Town of Corte Madera, Sanitary District No. 2 or other government agency.”? 

Yes, a public workshop was held on January 29, 2019, see workshop video and materials here. Information about the workshop was posted to the Town website and the Town newsletter. At the workshop the financial responsibility was a key topic of discussion including the four “triggers.”