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).
- 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 → · Cost estimates · Finding a contractor
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.
A1 Bay Area Rooter and Plumbing
Name on CSLB record: A-1 Bay Area Rooter & Plumbing
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
East Bay Sewer Inc.
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Economy Rooter & Plumbing Inc.
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Emergency Rooter
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Mr. Rooter Plumbing
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Pipe Spy, Inc.
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Precision Sewers
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Toto's Plumbing
Name on CSLB record: Toto'S Plumbing Inc
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
Washington Rooter & Plumbing
Name on CSLB record: David Washington Iii
Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List (August 2026), retrieved 2026-10-30; license from CSLB License Master (2026-10-28) · Claim, correct or remove
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, retrieved 2026-10-30; licenses checked against CSLB's License Master file (2026-10-28).
Next step
Getting the certificate in Oakland
- Check the property's PSL status on eastbaypsl.com.
- Get written bids from two or three contractors on EBMUD's list (above, or all 41).
- Your contractor inspects, repairs or replaces the lateral, pulls any city permit and schedules the EBMUD-witnessed verification test.
- Pass the test, download the Compliance Certificate and give it to escrow.
- Or send one request to up to 3 contractors on EBMUD's list near you with our free quote form.
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, 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. Source: EBMUD PSL Program Contractor List.
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)
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)
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)
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 · Albany · Emeryville · Piedmont · El Cerrito · Kensington · Berkeley