--- title: "Sewer Lateral Certificate in Oakland: Selling a Home" description: "What Oakland home sellers and buyers need for the EBMUD private sewer lateral Compliance Certificate to close escrow." canonical: https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/oakland/ --- [Home](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/) › [Cities](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/cities/) › Oakland # Sewer lateral certificate when selling in Oakland **Quick answer:** **Do I need a sewer lateral certificate to sell in Oakland?** Yes, if the property is an EBMUD wastewater customer in Oakland. Oakland is covered by the EBMUD Regional PSL Ordinance for escrows opened on or after January 16, 2012, so a Compliance Certificate (or an exemption or Time Extension Certificate) is needed to close escrow. A contractor repairs or replaces the lateral, then EBMUD witnesses a verification (leak) test. A CCTV video alone is not enough. Oakland is covered by the EBMUD Regional PSL Ordinance. It applies to escrows opened on or after **January 16, 2012**. Only EBMUD wastewater customers in the program area are covered, so check your parcel with EBMUD. * **Trigger:** a Compliance Certificate is **required to close escrow** when buying or selling, and also for building or remodeling over $100,000 (at final permit sign-off) or changing water meter size ([EBMUD](https://www.ebmud.com/wastewater/private-sewer-laterals)). * **Test, not video:** a contractor usually runs a CCTV inspection and repairs or replaces the lateral, then sets up a verification (leak) test witnessed by EBMUD. A CCTV video alone is not enough. * **Need more time?** A Time Extension Certificate gives 180 days after issue to finish the work. It needs a fee plus a **$4,500 refundable deposit**. * **Exemptions** include properties on septic, fully pressurized laterals, no connected lateral, title transfers not subject to the ordinance, and valid Alameda/Albany certificates. * **HOAs/condos** had to certify laterals they maintain by July 12, 2021. Buyers should ask the HOA for its Statement of Responsibility. * **Appeals** within 30 calendar days. Local permits: Oakland may require its own sewer or plumbing permit for lateral repair or replacement. Check with the city. [Full program guide →](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/ebmud-psl-program/) · [Cost estimates](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/sewer-lateral-cost/) · [Finding a contractor](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/contractors/) Data last verified 2026-10-12 against EBMUD and Regional PSL program pages. ## Which contractors on EBMUD's list are based in Oakland? 9 of the 41 contractors we list from EBMUD's PSL contractor list (August 2026) have a business address in Oakland. EBMUD doesn't publish service areas, so contractors based elsewhere may also work here: [see all 41](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/contractors/). * **A1 Bay Area Rooter and Plumbing**: 1424 57th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621 · [(510) 712-0906](tel:5107120906) · [a1plumbing17@gmail.com](mailto:a1plumbing17@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral * CSLB license #1116691, Active (CLEAR), expires 2027-01-31 * **East Bay Sewer Inc.**: 2025 100th Ave, Oakland, CA 94603 · [(510) 395-4850](tel:5103954850) · [eastbaysewerinc@gmail.com](mailto:eastbaysewerinc@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral, CAP/CAWP (over 1,000 ft of PSL) * CSLB license #1135344, Active (CLEAR), expires 2027-04-30 * **Economy Rooter & Plumbing Inc.**: 1752 84th Ave, Oakland, CA 94621 · [(510) 213-4296](tel:5102134296) · [economyrooterandplumbing@gmail.com](mailto:economyrooterandplumbing@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral, CAP/CAWP (over 1,000 ft of PSL) * CSLB license #1039625, Active (CLEAR), expires 2028-05-31 * **Emergency Rooter**: 10700 Snowdown Ave, Oakland, CA 94605 · [(510) 388-0567](tel:5103880567) · [erplumbingcon@gmail.com](mailto:erplumbingcon@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral, CAP/CAWP (over 1,000 ft of PSL) * CSLB license #729165, Active (CLEAR), expires 2028-10-31 * **Mr. Rooter Plumbing**: 50 Hegenberger Loop, Oakland, CA 94621 · [(510) 843-6378](tel:5108436378) · [info@mrrooteroakland.com](mailto:info@mrrooteroakland.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral * CSLB license #453536, Active (CLEAR), expires 2028-04-30 * **Pipe Spy, Inc.**: 1108 26th St, Oakland, CA 94607 · [(510) 465-3000](tel:5104653000) · [MoneyPenny@PipeSpy.com](mailto:MoneyPenny@PipeSpy.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral, CAP/CAWP (over 1,000 ft of PSL) * CSLB license #754966, Active (CLEAR), expires 2028-10-31 * **Precision Sewers**: 1423 Willow St, Oakland, CA 94607 · [(510) 381-5000](tel:5103815000) · [patt95@hotmail.com](mailto:patt95@hotmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral * CSLB license #707251, Active (CLEAR), expires 2027-05-31 * **Toto's Plumbing**: 2301 Courtland Ave, Oakland, CA 94601 · [(510) 292-6558](tel:5102926558) · [totosplumbing@gmail.com](mailto:totosplumbing@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing, PSL maps for HOAs / multi-lateral, CAP/CAWP (over 1,000 ft of PSL) * CSLB license #1001580, Active (CLEAR), expires 2027-02-28 * **Washington Rooter & Plumbing**: 9878 Koford Rd, Oakland, CA 94603 · [(707) 365-1835](tel:7073651835) · [washingtonrooterplumbing@gmail.com](mailto:washingtonrooterplumbing@gmail.com) * Services (self-certified to EBMUD): Residential PSL testing, Private main testing, Private manhole testing, Commercial PSL testing * CSLB license #1111618, Active (CLEAR), expires 2027-10-31 EBMUD publishes this as a *courtesy list*: contractors volunteered to be on it and self-certified the services they provide. It is not an exclusive list and EBMUD does not endorse anyone. EBMUD also keeps a separate list of contractors who are currently **ineligible** to do PSL inspections; check eligibility with EBMUD before you hire. Source: [EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List](https://www.eastbaypsl.com/doc/ContractorList.pdf), retrieved 2026-10-30; licenses checked against CSLB's License Master file (2026-10-28). ## Getting the certificate in Oakland 1. Check the property's PSL status on [eastbaypsl.com](https://www.eastbaypsl.com/). 2. Get written bids from two or three contractors on EBMUD's list (above, or [all 41](/contractors/)). 3. Your contractor inspects, repairs or replaces the lateral, pulls any city permit and schedules the EBMUD-witnessed verification test. 4. Pass the test, download the Compliance Certificate and give it to escrow. [Find a contractor](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/contractors/) Get free quotes: https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/quotes/ sends one request to up to 3 sewer lateral contractors on EBMUD's PSL contractor list (active CSLB licence) near you. Free, no obligation. ## Frequently asked questions **Do I need a sewer lateral certificate to sell in Oakland?** Yes, if the property is an EBMUD wastewater customer in Oakland. Oakland is covered by the EBMUD Regional PSL Ordinance for escrows opened on or after January 16, 2012, so a Compliance Certificate (or an exemption or Time Extension Certificate) is needed to close escrow. A contractor repairs or replaces the lateral, then EBMUD witnesses a verification (leak) test. A CCTV video alone is not enough. ([EBMUD](https://www.ebmud.com/wastewater/private-sewer-laterals), [eastbaypsl.com](https://www.eastbaypsl.com/)) **Which contractors on EBMUD's list are based in Oakland?** 9 of the 41 contractors we list from EBMUD's PSL contractor list (August 2026) have a business address in Oakland. EBMUD doesn't publish service areas, so contractors based elsewhere may also work here: [see all 41](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/contractors/). Source: [EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List](https://www.eastbaypsl.com/doc/ContractorList.pdf). **Is a CCTV camera inspection enough to get the certificate?** No. A contractor usually runs a CCTV inspection and repairs or replaces the lateral, then sets up a verification (leak) test witnessed by EBMUD. A CCTV video alone is not enough. ([EBMUD](https://www.ebmud.com/wastewater/private-sewer-laterals)) **What if the work can't be finished before closing?** A Time Extension Certificate gives 180 days after issue to finish the work. It needs a fee plus a **$4,500 refundable deposit**. ([fees](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/sewer-lateral-cost/)) **Which properties are exempt?** Exemptions include properties on septic, fully pressurized laterals, no connected lateral, title transfers not subject to the ordinance, and valid Alameda/Albany certificates. ([EBMUD](https://www.ebmud.com/wastewater/private-sewer-laterals)) ## Which other East Bay cities require a sewer lateral certificate? Oakland, Alameda, Albany, Emeryville, Piedmont, El Cerrito, Kensington and Richmond Annex are in the EBMUD Regional PSL program. Berkeley runs its own separate program. [Alameda](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/alameda/) · [Albany](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/albany/) · [Emeryville](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/emeryville/) · [Piedmont](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/piedmont/) · [El Cerrito](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/el-cerrito/) · [Kensington](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/kensington/) · [Berkeley](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/city/berkeley/) ## Guides [How the EBMUD program works](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/ebmud-psl-program/) · [Costs](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/sewer-lateral-cost/) · [Finding a contractor](https://eastbaysewerinspection.com/contractors/)