Like other parts of your property, your private sewer lateral requires proactive maintenance and care. Taking steps to maintain and care for your private sewer lateral is important in preventing backups inside your property and sewer spills. You can properly care for your private sewer lateral by:

1. Flushing only toilet paper down your toilet. Other sanitary products like ‘flushable’ wipes, tissues, baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, dental floss, and diapers should be disposed of in the trash and not flushed down the toilet.
   
   
2. Disposing of food scraps, including Fats, Oils, and Grease (or FOG) in your green organics cart. Soak up FOG with a paper towel or napkin and toss it in your green organics cart. If FOG are poured down drains, they will harden and stick to the lining of your pipes eventually causing blockages and backups.
   
   
3. When updating your landscaping, consider planting trees and shrubs more than several feet away from your private sewer lateral or planting ones that do not grow excessive roots.
   
   
4. Periodically hiring a qualified plumber to inspect your private sewer lateral to be sure it is clear of blockages, roots, cracks, disjointing, and other damage. If a plumber is going to clean, flush, and/or clear your private sewer lateral, it is very important for them to contact the City first by calling the Plumber’s Hotline at (949) 464-6616 to help prevent the City’s public sewer system from being blocked or damaged.

If property owners do not make good faith efforts to keep their private sewer lateral functionally maintained, then fines and other penalties can be imposed. 

The City only accepts private sewer lateral inspection reports that are performed by a qualified plumber. Under the City’s Municipal Code (§17.50.020), a qualified plumber is:

1. A company or plumber with a valid city business license and the appropriate licensure, as required by the state, to provide private sewer lateral services, including video inspection, cleaning, maintenance, repair and connection to the public sewer; or
   
   
2. A plumber who has satisfied the qualification requirements outlined in the city's Private Sewer Lateral Program Administrative Guide which add to the first definition that the plumber has also attended one of the City’s Plumber’s Workshops in the last three (3) years.

Once a plumber attends a Plumber’s Workshop hosted by the City, they are added to the City’s list of pre-certified plumbers. The City does not warrant nor guarantee the work of any specific plumber or plumbing company. This list is provided as a courtesy, and the City encourages property owners to research and vet plumbers before selecting one.

By participating in the Plumber’s Workshop, plumbers are kept up to date on the City’s Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program, including requirements for submitting inspection reports to the City, the City’s plumbing-related requirements, and private sewer lateral related incentives.

If you are a plumber and interested in attending the next Plumber’s Workshop, please email the Public Works and Utilities Department at waterquality@lagunabeachcity.net with the subject “Interest in Plumber’s Workshop” and provide your contact information.

This step-by-step process guides owners of residential properties with three or fewer units that are served by the Laguna Beach Sewer System (located north of Cardinal Drive) through the Private Sewer Lateral Inspection and available incentives.

1. City notifies property owner to inspect their private sewer lateral. Property owner may receive a Notice of Participation via a door hanger or letter from the City or be required to inspect their private sewer lateral during a permitting process.

2. Property owner arranges for a qualified plumber to complete an Inspection Report. Inspection Reports include a diagnostic video of the entire private sewer lateral. Property owners may select a plumber of their choosing as long as they meet the City's requirements. The City also maintains a list of pre-certified plumbers; however, the City does not warrant nor guarantee the work of any specific plumber or plumbing company.

3. Plumber submits an initial Inspection Report to the City’s online platform. Before any work on the private sewer lateral is done, the plumber who inspected the private sewer lateral submits an initial Inspection Report using the City’s online platform. The Inspection Report must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of the inspection. Property owners are encouraged to provide an email address to their plumber, so they also receive automated emails regarding the inspection.

4. Public Works and Utilities Department staff reviews the Inspection Report and provides an assessment. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will assess if the private sewer lateral does or does not need additional work, or if the Inspection Report has a technical problem or was completed incorrectly.  The assessment will be posted to the City’s online platform and the property owner and plumber will be notified via email.

5. Private sewer lateral passes inspection and a Certificate of Compliance is issued, or repair and/or replacement is needed. If the private sewer lateral passes inspection, the Public Works and Utilities Department will issue a Certificate of Compliance with an expiration date for when another inspection must be performed by and no further action by the property owner is needed at this time. A copy of the Inspection Report, including its video, will be included in the property’s Real Property Report. If repair and/or replacement of the private sewer lateral is needed, the Public Works and Utilities Department staff will provide further information on the maintenance work needed; proceed to step 6.

6. Property owner submits a Private Sewer Lateral Incentive application to the Public Works and Utilities Department. Under this program, property owners may be eligible for reimbursement of 50% of private sewer lateral repair and replacement costs up to $1,600. It is preferred for applications to be submitted electronically by emailing a completed application to waterquality@lagunabeachcity.net, but hard copies may be submitted by hand at 479 Ocean Avenue or via mail to 505 Forest Avenue. Applications must be submitted to the Public Works and Utilities Department and receive conditional approval (a Notice to Proceed) from the Public Works and Utilities Department before any work on the private sewer lateral is done. Details on how to apply and eligible properties and costs are found on the Private Sewer Lateral Incentive Program webpage.

7. Property owner receives Conditional Approval (Notice to Proceed) or Notice of Ineligibility to Participate. Public Works and Utilities Department staff reviews the application and, via email, issues a conditional approval of the application or a Notice of Ineligibility to Participate. All repair and replacement work must be completed within ninety (90) days of the conditional approval date.  If the application does not meet the incentive program’s criteria, then a Notice of Ineligibility to Participate will be issued and the property owner follows the process for commercial properties, industrial properties, and residential properties with four or more units starting at Step 6.

8. Property owner arranges for a qualified plumber to perform maintenance work and to submit a new, post-work Inspection Report to the City via its online platform. Work will most likely require permits; all required permits must be obtained, or applicable fee(s) will be assessed. Property owners are encouraged to provide their email address, so they also receive automated emails regarding the inspection. The Inspection Report must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of the inspection, and all work must be completed within ninety (90) days of the conditional approval date.

9. Public Works and Utilities Department staff reviews the new, post-work Inspection Report and provides an assessment. The property owner and plumber will be notified of staff’s assessment via email. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will assess if the private sewer lateral passes inspection or needs further work, or if the Inspection Report has a technical problem or was completed incorrectly.  Once Public Works and Utilities Department staff determines the private sewer lateral passes inspection, proceed to step 10. 

10. Property owner submits a request for reimbursement to Public Works and Utilities Department. It is preferred to submit a reimbursement request electronically by emailing the Public Works and Utilities Department at waterquality@lagunabeachcity.net, but hard copies may be submitted by hand at 479 Ocean Avenue or via mail to 505 Forest Avenue. The Request for Reimbursement must be received within ninety (90) days of the issuance of the conditional approval and include:

    • A completed, signed Form W‐9* with property owner’s (recipient’s) information;
    • Copies of paid-in-full invoices for private sewer lateral work; and
    • Proof of payment of those invoices, such as voided checks and credit card statements.
      
      

    *Please note that incentive payments, like this one, are subject to IRS reporting regulations. As such, a completed Form W‐9 must be submitted for reimbursement, and a Form 1099 may be issued to the recipient.

    Further details on how to request a reimbursement, including via mail and hand delivery, are found on the Private Sewer Lateral Incentive webpage.

11. Public Works and Utilities Department staff issues a Certificate of Compliance and reimbursement.  The submittals will be reviewed within five (5) business days and Public Works and Utilities Department staff will email the property owner: (1) their Certificate of Compliance; and (2) a confirmation of their reimbursement amount and payment timeline. The Certificate of Compliance will have an expiration date for when another inspection must be performed by; no further action by the property owner is needed at this time. A copy of the Inspection Report, including its video, will be added to your property’s Real Property Report. 

12. Property owner receives a reimbursement check in the mail. A check for the Private Sewer Lateral Incentive Program reimbursement will come in the mail within four (4) weeks of receiving the reimbursement confirmation email.

This step-by-step process guides owners of commercial properties, industrial properties, and residential properties with four or more units or those not served by the Laguna Beach Sewer System (south of Cardinal Drive) through the Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program.

1. Property owner is notified to inspect their private sewer lateral by the City. Property owner may receive a Notice of Participation via a door hanger or letter from the City or be required to inspect their private sewer lateral during a permitting process.

2. Property owner arranges for a qualified plumber to complete an Inspection Report. Inspection Reports include a diagnostic video of the entire private sewer lateral. Property owners may select a plumber of their choosing as long as they meet the City's requirements. The City also maintains a list of pre-certified plumbers; however, the City does not warrant nor guarantee the work of any specific plumber or plumbing company.

3. Plumber submits Inspection Report to the City via its online platform. The Inspection Report must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of the inspection. Property owners are encouraged to provide their email address, so they also receive automated emails regarding the inspection.

4. Public Works and Utilities Department staff reviews the Inspection Report and provides an assessment. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will assess if the private sewer lateral does or does not need additional work, or if the Inspection Report has a technical problem or was completed incorrectly.  The assessment will be posted to the City’s online platform and the property owner and plumber will be notified via email.

5. Private sewer lateral passes inspection and a Certificate of Compliance is issued, or repair and/or replacement is needed. If the private sewer lateral passes inspection, the Public Works and Utilities Department will issue a Certificate of Compliance with an expiration date for when another inspection must be performed by and no further action by the property owner is needed at this time. A copy of the Inspection Report, including its video, will be included in the property’s Real Property Report. If repair and/or replacement of the private sewer lateral is needed, the Public Works and Utilities Department staff will provide further information on the maintenance work needed; proceed to step 6. 

6. Property owner arranges for a qualified plumber to perform maintenance work and submit a new, post-work Inspection Report to the City via its online platform. Work will most likely require permits; all required permits must be obtained or applicable fee(s) will be assessed. Property owners are encouraged to provide their email address, so they also receive automated emails regarding the inspection. The Inspection Report must be submitted within fourteen (14) days of the inspection.

7. Public Works and Utilities Department staff reviews the new, post-work Inspection Report and provides an assessment. The property owner and plumber will be notified of staff’s assessment via email. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will assess if the private sewer lateral passes inspection or needs further work, or if the Inspection Report has a technical problem or was completed incorrectly.  Once Public Works and Utilities Department staff determines the private sewer lateral passes inspection, proceed to step 8.

8. Public Works and Utilities Department staff issues a Certificate of Compliance. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will email the property owner a copy of their Certificate of Compliance. The Certificate of Compliance will have an expiration date for when another inspection must be performed by; no further action by the property owner is needed at this time. A copy of the Inspection Report, including its video, will be added to your property’s Real Property Report. 

For owners of residential properties with three or fewer units within the Laguna Beach Sewer Service Area (north of Cardinal Drive), the City offers an incentive to assist with the cost of repairing and/or replacing private sewer laterals. Property owners are responsible for the inspection and maintenance of the entire private sewer lateral from their property to the public sewer system, including the point of connection (the wye).

The City will reimburse 50% of the property owner's cost to repair and/or replace a private sewer lateral, up to a maximum of $1,600 per residential parcel. Private sewer lateral cleaning, including root clearing, and emergency repairs are not covered. Reimbursement funds are available on a first come, first qualified, and first served basis while they last. Applicants are not guaranteed to receive reimbursement. 

 Application Process

Applications must receive conditional approval (Notice to Proceed) by the City before any private sewer lateral repair and/or replacement work starts. The application is found here. It is recommended for applications to be electronically submitted to the City via email to waterquality@lagunabeachcity.net; below are all submission options. Applicants will be informed of their status via an email from waterquality@lagunabeachcity.net. A set-by-step guide to this process is provided on the Private Sewer Laterals webpage, including information for owners of residential properties with three or fewer units.

Incentive participants must cooperate with the City by adhering to the incentive’s terms and conditions:

• An Inspection Report must be submitted to the City via its online platform prior to beginning any repair, replacement, or other work on the private sewer lateral unless a waiver in writing is granted by the Public Works and Utilities Department. Waivers will be granted on a case-by-case basis.
• Applicant must wait to receive conditional approval (Notice to Proceed) from the Public Works and Utilities Department before beginning any repair or replacement work.
• All repair, replacement, and other work must obtain all the necessary permits. If work is performed without the required permits, penalty fees will be assessed.
• Work must be completed within ninety (90) days of the Notice to Proceed date.
• Post-work Inspection Report, plumbing invoices, proof of payment, and Form W-9 must be submitted within ninety (90) days of the Notice to Proceed date.
• Funds will be obligated for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from Notice to Proceed date. The obligation period includes all work, post-work inspection, payment to the plumber by property owner, and request for reimbursement.
• For reimbursement to be granted, property owners must provide:
  • Copies of paid‐in‐full invoice(s) from a qualified plumber;
  • Proof of payment of the invoice(s) (such as a canceled check or credit card statement); and
  • A completed, signed Form W‐9 with property owner’s (recipient’s) information. Please note that incentive payments, like this reimbursement, are subject to IRS reporting regulations. As such, a completed Form W‐9 must be submitted for reimbursement, and a Form 1099 may be issued to the recipient.
• Reimbursement is on a first come, first qualified, and first served basis.
• Incomplete applications may result in processing and reimbursement payment delays or no reimbursement payment.

The Public Works and Utilities Director, or their designee, may offer extensions and make other exceptions if the property owner makes a request and presents good cause for the request.

Plumbers play a critical role in inspecting and maintaining private sewer laterals, but also in caring for the City’s public sewer system by coordinating with the City on the clearing of roots and debris from private sewer laterals. Through the Plumber’s Bounty Cash Incentive, the City offers plumber’s $50 cash when clearing roots and debris from private sewer laterals is coordinated with the Public Works and Utilities Department so that the roots and debris are caught and do not block nor impact the City’s sewer main. Participation in the incentive is simple:

1. Plumber calls the Public Works and Utilities Department at (949) 464-6616 to coordinate, before clearing roots and debris. Prior to clearing roots and debris from a private sewer lateral, plumber calls the City’s plumber’s hotline at (949) 464-6616 to inform the Public Works and Utilities Department of the planned clearing.
   
   
2. Public Works and Utilities Department staff meets plumber at the property to capture roots and debris. Staff will generally come to the property within 60 minutes to capture the roots and debris, and ensure that the public sewer main remains clear.
   
   
3. Public Works and Utilities Department staff will give the plumber a voucher for $50. Once the roots and debris are captured, staff will provide a $50 voucher that can be cashed in at the Public Works and Utilities Department at 479 Ocean Avenue.
   
   
4. Plumber cashes in voucher. Plumber comes to 479 Ocean Avenue to cash in the voucher, and provide or update information required to receive a check, including, if needed, providing a completed and signed Form W-9. Please note that incentive payments, like this one, are subject to IRS reporting regulations. As such, a completed Form W‐9 must be submitted to receive the incentive, and a Form 1099 may be issued to the recipient.
   
   
5. Plumber receives a check in the mail. Plumber should receive a check in the mail within thirty (30) business days of cashing in the voucher.

The City requires the inspection of private sewer laterals connecting to the City’s public sewer systems under six circumstances (per LBMC §17.50.052):

1.  A sewer spill from a private sewer lateral.
   
   
2. A remodel, meaning all construction projects including additions, alterations, or repairs that require a building permit, and that involve any of the following:

   a. A bathroom, kitchen, or laundry facility;
   b. New plumbing facilities that produce a material increase in wastewater flow; and/or
   c. Any work exceeding $100,000.

3. A change in the use of the house, building, or property:

   a.  From residential to business, commercial, or non-residential; or
   b. From non-residential/non-restaurant/non-industrial to restaurant or industrial uses such as carwashes, cleaners and laundries; or
   c. To non-residential uses where the building or property has been vacant or unoccupied for more than three years.

4. Repair or replacement of any portion of the private sewer lateral.
   
   
5. A significant repair or replacement of the main public sewer line to which the private sewer lateral is attached.
   
   
6. Where City inspection and/or investigation reveals that a property’s private sewer lateral needs maintenance and the City issues a written Notice of Participation for the Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program that advises the property owner of this Program and the corrective measures that need to be taken.

Property owners may be notified of the need to inspect their private sewer laterals during permitting processes or via a written Notice of Participation. The City issues Notices of Participation by leaving door hangers at individual properties and sending letters to responsible property owners. An example of the City’s door hanger is below:

All private sewer lateral Inspection Reports must include a diagnostic video and be submitted on the City’s online platform by a qualified plumber. Below is a list of Inspection Report requirements:

• Signed by a California licensed plumber/contractor who also has a Laguna Beach business license (per LBMC §17.50.020)
• Evidence that plumber marked on the ground surface directly above the private sewer lateral to identify location of issues, like roots, joint problems, pipe problems, infiltration, among others (per LBMC §17.50.053(c))
• Submitted within 14 days of inspection (per LBMC §17.50.053(d))
• Complete property address
• Date of inspection
• Submittal date
• City of Laguna Beach Business License Number
• Sewer Usage
• Camera Direction
• Pipe size (width in inches) to be measured in the upstream (or downstream) cleanout
• Pipe materials
• All questions on the digital Inspection Report are answered
• Inspector summary
• Virtual drawing of the private sewer lateral’s alignment, including its start, any joints, cleanout, and end
• Digital video of the entire private sewer lateral line(s) (from structure until to City’s main line)
• Inspection date (per LBMC §17.50.053(b))
• Identification of inspection’s beginning point (per LBMC §17.50.053(b))
• Audio assessment of the inspection (per LBMC §17.50.053(b))
• Footage counter to allow points along the entire inspection to be identified (per LBMC §17.50.053(b))
• Camera lens is clean and clear, not foggy nor smudged
• Video is in color and quality, lighting, and focus allows for clear review by the City
• Camera travel speed shall be uniform and not exceed 30 feet per minute
• Camera stopped for a minimum of 5 seconds at broken sections, root intrusion, misaligned joints, or other defects
• At least 70% of the pipe periphery shall be visible above the waterline

The City reserves its right to request re‐video and clarifications on the Inspection Report in order to review and assess the condition of a private sewer lateral.

How to Respond to a Notice of Participation Flyer

Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program and Incentives Overview

Private Sewer Lateral Inspection Program FAQs

Plumber's Bounty and Incentives Information

Private Sewer Lateral Incentive Application