How do sewer lateral rules differ across California?
California has no single lateral rule; each city or district sets its own. In most of the cities we cover, the owner keeps the lateral clear. A few cities take on the lower section in specific cases, and parts of the East Bay add a point-of-sale inspection requirement.
Los Angeles and San Diego make owners responsible for the whole lateral, even the part under the street. San Jose and Riverside maintain the lower lateral of a home only where an approved property line cleanout exists. San Francisco asks owners to clear, jet and inspect both the upper and lower lateral. In the East Bay, including Oakland, EBMUD requires a leak-free certificate to close escrow on a sale. Each city page explains the local rule. Call to get information about the service and book a visit.
Southern California
The largest share of our California pages are in Southern California, where roots in older laterals and restaurant grease are frequent reasons to call.
Local pages: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Riverside, San Diego and Chula Vista. We also take calls from communities such as Redondo Beach, Gardena, Monterey Park, Arcadia, Redlands, Palm Desert, Eastvale, Lake Elsinore and Santa Barbara.
Bay Area
Bay Area cities stand out for their lateral programs: San Francisco's owner upkeep of upper and lower laterals and the East Bay's point-of-sale certificate.
Local pages: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. Calls also come from Pleasanton, Dublin, Walnut Creek, Union City, South San Francisco, San Rafael, Novato and Petaluma.
Central Valley and Northern California
In the Central Valley, combined sewers in older central Sacramento and shade-tree roots in valley neighborhoods are common themes.
Local pages: Sacramento, Stockton, Fresno and Bakersfield. Help is also available in Chico, Redding, Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo.
Which services are available in California?
All seven hydro jetting services are available statewide through local professionals.
Sewer line jetting, drain jetting, tree root removal, sewer camera inspection, commercial grease line jetting, sewer backup help and storm drain jetting. See the areas we serve page for other states.