Yes. A permit is required to repair the sewer lateral. A city engineer will inspect the lateral to validate that the work was performed according to code. If you need guidance as to policies or procedures please contact the Engineering and Construction Division at 650-780-7380.

Side Sewers are privately owned sanitary pipelines which connect your building or home to a city main sewer, storm drain or combined sewer. The construction and repair of side sewers is regulated by DPD in order to prevent public health problems that could be caused by substandard materials, positioning, or workmanship. Property owners construct, maintain, and repair their own side sewers and drainage pipes, under the regulations of the Side Sewer Code.

A sewer lateral is the pipe that carries the wastewater from the house to the sanitary sewer main line in the street. Every building receiving sewer service from Redwood City has at least one sewer lateral.

Repairs such as pumping out your septic tank or de-rooting your lines do not require a permit. Other, more extensive work may require a permit. Visit the Septic Tank Permit Process page for permit requirements.

The service lateral is constructed by private owners for private use of their property. It is a private sewer located on private property not serving the community at large and for which the City does not have an executed and recorded easement for the purpose of providing City maintenance. The service lateral is an extension of the house building sewer that connects the building to the City sewer.

If the sewer problem is found to be in the upper sewer lateral (between the building and cleanout at the property line) the property owner can hire a contractor to make repairs or, if equipped, can make repairs themselves. Contractors are listed in the yellow pages of the phone book under "Plumbing Drain & Sewer Cleaning" or "Sewer Contractors". If you plan to hire a contractor, we recommend getting estimates from more than one company.

A plumbing permit for a sewer is required any time a sewer is being installed, replaced or repaired (more than three feet). A separate sewer permit is required for each building.

A point of entry located near the City property line that allows crews to break sewer lateral blockages.

Sometimes we can tell you approximately where your sewer lateral is located within the street right-of-way. If we cannot provide you with an approximate location, we will help you make contact with someone who can. This will usually require a contractor or sewer lateral video service to field locate your lateral and you can usually expect to pay a fee for this service. Call us at 781-7200

The homeowner is responsible for the lateral up to and including the "Y" in the main line sewer. Please contact the Water Sources Superintendent for all Water Quality complaints. The contact number is (860) 343 8085 Ext. 206.

Yes, if you are repairing more than 25% of your roof or replacing the entire roof. The permit fee varies depending on the valuation of the job being completed. Please call the Inspector at City Hall during his office hours if you have any questions.

Yes. A sidewalk permit may be obtained for free from the Public Service Department on the 7th floor of City Hall or you may contact the Public Service Department at 483-4455 for additional information.

Yes, permits are required in all wilderness areas, National Parks, and other restricted areas along the trail. You can obtain a permit from the agency on which your PCT trip originates. For example, if you plan to travel from Echo Lake to Castle Crags State Park, you would need to contact the Eldorado National Forest since your trip would begin in that forest. They would issue a permit good for your entire trip. The PCTA can issue a wilderness permit for trips of 500 miles or more along the PCT.

First, request servicing by city maintenance staff. Go to the Report Problems web page and submit a report or call 650-780-7464. If the problem recurs following the maintenance services, the sewer lateral may be damaged, call 650-780-7464 and request a tv/video inspection of the lateral between the cleanout and the main line.

Yes. A plumbing permit is required at a cost to the homeowner as per our Schedule of Fees and Charges, click here. The plumbing permit helps to protect the interest of the property owner as the process requires that the sewer installation is inspected by a Plumbing Inspector before the trench is backfilled. Please contact the Building Department at 735-6821 x 1331.

If these problems occur and you are not using your household water outlets, there may be a problem in the public sewer main. Call (707) 258-6000 to request emergency service. If overflow is constant, the homeowner should remove the cap on the cleanout or overflow device (if present) located near the property line. The homeowner can use towels, sheets, rags, etc. to keep the sewage from spreading and damaging other parts of the house.