Sewer Inspection Permits (SIPs)

Sewer Inspection Permits (SIPs)

Note: This guide only covers Sewer Inspection Permits. Depending on the type and location of the work, you may need additional permits, such as an Encroachment Permit or a Building Permit.

For incorporated areas, you will need to speak to your local government about the additional types of permits you might need. 

The broad steps for Sewer Inspection Permits are as follows:

1. Applying for the Sewer Inspection Permit (SIP)

2. Once the SIP is issued, work can begin

3. Inspections & Final Inspection

4. Final Sign Off

Applying for a Sewer Inspection Permit (SIP)

1. Contact our sewer division to provide the property address and the scope of the work you’ll be doing. You can:
   1. Make an appointment (recommended) to fill out the application in person
   2. Leave a message at (650) 599-1403, including your email address, or
   3. Send an email to sewers@smcgov.org, and our team will follow up to send you the SIP application form
2. Submit your SIP application
   1. Fill out the application to the best of your ability
      1. If you do not yet have a contractor, leave the “Contractor” section blank, and contact us once you have found a contractor.
   2. Sign and date the application
   3. Return the application to our staff in person or by email
3. In some situations, we may require additional information or material, such as a CCTV Inspection. We will let you know if this is the case.
4. Once all other requirements are met, you'll need to pay any associated fees. The base SIP fee is $300, but additional fees may be required.
   1. Payments by cash or check can be made in-person at our office.
   2. For credit/debit card, please use our online payment portal.
5. After all fees are paid, staff will provide a SIP Guidelines packet and issue the SIP.
   1. The SIP is valid for one year from the date it was issued; there is a fee of $300 to renew an expired SIP.

Once you receive the issued SIP and any other required permits, you can proceed with work. When work is finished, an inspection must be conducted. Depending on the work, you may need multiple inspections.

Scheduling Inspections

1. Before you schedule an inspection, please note:
   1. Inspection slots are limited; to reserve a time that works best for you, we recommend scheduling your inspection at least one week in advance.
   2. We are not able to conduct same-day inspections.
   3. Someone must be on-site at the time of the inspection.
2. Make sure your permit is still valid: your SIP is valid for one year from the date it was issued. An expired SIP must be renewed before a final inspection can be scheduled/conducted. 
3. To schedule an inspection, use the QR code or follow the link provided on the SIP, or leave a message at (650)599-1403.
   1. Please include your name, phone number, the property address, SIP number, and preferred date/time for inspection.
   2. Staff will contact you to confirm your inspection booking.
4. On the day of your inspection, make sure someone engaged in the project is on-site to greet the inspector.
   1. If no one is on-site, we will consider it a cancellation, and you will need to reschedule.

Once all required inspections are complete, Office Staff will verify that all requirements have been met before signing off on your SIP.

Final Sign Off

1. After all inspections are complete, the inspector will communicate with Office Staff, who will verify that all requirements have been met, and all fees have been paid.
   1. This can take up to 30 days. Please contact us if you will need it completed sooner.
   2. Some projects may require additional fees.
   3. We will alert you if any additional action is needed
2. Once all requirements have been met and all fees paid, Staff will sign off on the SIP and any building permits on Accela, and will notify any involved towns or cities of the completed sewer work.
3. To verify that your SIP has been closed, please allow one week after your final inspection, then email sewers@smcgov.org or leave a message at (650)599-1403.
   1. A copy of the closed SIP can be provided upon request.

Plan Reviews

Plan Reviews

A sanitary sewer plan review may be required for new construction, additions or major renovations, relocation or replacement of a sewer lateral, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), outdoor plumbing fixtures, swimming pools, work within or near a sewer easement, sewer main extensions, or other improvements that may affect County-maintained sewer facilities.

The purpose of the review is to verify compliance with applicable Sewer District requirements, identify potential conflicts with existing sewer facilities or easements, determine applicable permits and inspections, and assess applicable sewer fees and charges.

Before You Submit

Applicants are encouraged to review the Sanitary Sewer and Streetlight Requirements Checklist before submitting plans. The checklist identifies information that should be included on the plans and can help reduce review comments and additional review cycles.

Please submit a complete plan set and any supporting information applicable to the project, such as CCTV inspections, survey information, sewer calculations, easement documents, or other requested materials.

Typical Review Times

Our goal is to provide a predictable and timely review process. Typical review times are:

• Major private development – first submittal: approximately 4 weeks 
• All other reviews, including subsequent reviews of major private developments: approximately 3 weeks 

Review times begin when a sufficiently complete submittal is received.

Additional review time may be necessary for unusually complex projects, incomplete submittals, sewer capacity evaluations, easement or legal issues, coordination with other agencies, significant changes to the project scope, or other circumstances requiring additional analysis. Applicants will be notified when additional review time is anticipated.

Resubmittals

For each resubmittal, please provide:

• A complete revised plan set; 
• A written response to each Sewer District comment; 
• The plan sheet or supporting document where each comment was addressed; and 
• Any requested CCTV, survey information, calculations, easement documents, or other supporting information. 

Clearly identify revisions made since the previous submittal. If a comment is not incorporated, provide an explanation and supporting information for Sewer District review.

After Plan Approval

The project designer is responsible for incorporating all Sewer District comments, redlines, and required revisions into the final construction plan set.

The plans used for construction must be consistent with the plans approved by the Sewer District. The final approved plans shall be available to the contractor and Sewer District inspector during construction and inspection.

Sewer District inspectors will inspect the sewer work for consistency with the approved plans and applicable Sewer District requirements. If the construction plans do not incorporate required comments, redlines, or revisions, or if the sewer design is changed after approval, the Sewer District may require revised plans to be submitted for additional review and approval before the affected sewer work proceeds or is accepted.

Plan approval does not authorize construction. Required Sewer Inspection Permits, encroachment permits, building/plumbing permits, and other applicable permits must be obtained before the associated work begins.

Fees

Plan review and other applicable sewer fees and charges are based on the current County fee schedule. Additional fees or charges may apply depending on the project.

If you are unsure whether your project requires a plan review or what information should be submitted, please contact the Sewer District.

Annexations & Mainline Extensions

Annexations & Mainline Extensions

If your property isn’t currently part of a county maintained sewer district, it may be possible to join via annexation or mainline extension.

This is only possible in limited areas, and only under very specific conditions.

Please contact us for more information about annexation and mainline extensions.