New! PSL Program Contractor List
Sign up here to be added to the PSL Program Contractor List. Contractors are required to certify that they and their representatives understand and will comply with the procedures for scheduling and conducting inspections. These procedures are described in the Guidelines for Contractors (Click for the translated version: Spanish, Chinese, Mum, Vietnamese).
A compliance certificate is issued when a private sewer lateral (PSL) is shown to be leak-free. You can check status, schedule an inspection, apply for an exemption, and more using EBMUD’s property search tool.
To learn more about the Private Sewer Lateral program, what cities it applies to, why it’s important for protecting the environment, and more information for contractors, visit www.eastbaypsl.com.
How to obtain a compliance certificate
- Check your property's compliance status here.
- Hire a contractor to check your PSL and perform repairs or replacement if necessary.
- Schedule an EBMUD inspection to verify that the PSL is leak-free (typically, your contractor will do this step).
- A compliance certificate will be issued once the PSL passes inspection.
Your property needs a compliance certificate if any of the following applies:
| Reason | Trigger |
| Buying or selling property | Required to close escrow |
| Building or remodeling in excess of $100,000 | Final permit sign-off |
| Changing water meter size | Changing water meter size |
You can always voluntarily obtain a compliance certificate without meeting any of the above triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot obtain a compliance certificate for your PSL before transferring title, you may purchase a time extension certificate (TEC) which will allow 180 days from the TEC issue date for PSL work to be completed.
Instructions available in the Guidelines for Time Extension Certificate
To request an extension, select your property using the property search tool, request a TEC, pay the fee, and mail the $4,500 refundable deposit.
If you've received a Notice of Enforcement Action or a Notice of Violation and Order, it means that your property recently had a triggering event that requires a PSL Compliance Certificate, and you have not yet obtained one. These triggering events include:
- Buying or selling a property (transferring title)
- Finalizing a permit for building or remodeling work worth more than $100,000
- Changing the water meter size for the meter serving the property
How to Obtain a Compliance Certificate
- Check your property's compliance status here.
- Hire a contractor to check your PSL and perform repairs or replacement if that work is necessary.
- Obtain municipal permits if required.
- Schedule an EBMUD inspection to verify that the PSL is leak-free (typically, your contractor will do this step).
- A compliance certificate will be issued by EBMUD once the PSL passes inspection.
Need Extra Time?
If you need to obtain a Compliance Certificate because of a title transfer and you need extra time to come into compliance with the PSL requirements, your property may be eligible for aTime Extension Certificate (TEC) which can give you an additional 6 months to comply. Please visit this webpage link to learn more about TECs and how to purchase: https://www.eastbaypsl.com/eastbaypsl/extension.html
Appeals Process
You may appeal a decision, action, or determination made by EBMUD within 30 calendar days of the decision, action, or determination. The appeals form can be found here and guidance on filling out the appeals form can be found here
Homeowners Associations (HOAs), condominiums, and other common interest developments managed by an HOA, were required to certify all PSLs pipes under their maintenance responsibility by July 12, 2021. If your HOA still needs to comply, fill out and return the HOA Statement of Responsibility Form.
Planning to sell?
If you are property owner within an HOA and you are planning to sell your unit, please confirm with your HOA that it submitted a complete Statement of Responsibility form.
Planning to buy?
If you are considering purchasing a property within an HOA, pleasecontact the HOA to request a copy of the statement of responsibility (SOR) submitted to EBMUD, and contact psl@ebmud.com to ensure that EBMUD received the HOA’s SOR. The SOR should be provided to the title company during escrow and defines your and/or the HOA’s PSL maintenance responsibilities. If the property has no maintenance responsibility for PSL, as documented in the SOR, you do not need to obtain a compliance certificate.
You can find additional details in the Guidelines for Condominiums and Other Common Interest Developments.