Service Areas (Map)
Service Areas
Enter an address in the box below to find out if the parcel is part of a County-maintained sewer district. For assistance in verifying the jurisdiction for a property, please call (650) 363-4100 during our regular hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM).
County-Maintained Sewer Districts Map
Permits & Services
Sewer Permits & Services
See our Permits & Plan Reviews page for more details.
Before you begin, verify that the property is within a County-maintained sewer district by using our Service Locator.
If you'll be doing work involving the sewer lateral, you'll need a Sewer Inspection Permit.
If you'll be doing extensive renovations, constructing a new building, or moving a sewer lateral, or if you were referred to us by the Planning & Building Department, you'll likely need a Plan Review.
If you’re not sure what work might need to be done or which permits might be required, our sewer team would be happy to assist.
Note: 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.
Please make an appointment, send an email to sewers@smcgov.org, or leave a message at (650) 599-1403.
Sewer Inspection Permits (SIPs)
Sewer Inspection Permits (SIPs)
If the scope of your work involves the lower lateral, property line cleanout, demolition, or draining a pool or groundwater, you'll likely need a Sewer Inspection Permit (SIP).
Plan Reviews
Plan Reviews
If the scope of your work goes beyond the lower lateral, you'll likely need a Plan Review.
This includes renovations, new construction, moving a lateral, or any other work that might involve sewer pipes.
A Plan Review is performed to check for compliance with County Sewer Maintenance and Sanitation Districts standard specifications for sewer design and construction, determine if a sewer permit is required, ensure there are no conflicts with sewer easements, and collect any applicable sewer fees.
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 if this is something you are interested in.
Sewer Districts
Sewer Districts
The Department of Public Works provides sewer collection services to businesses and residents across 10 Maintenance and Sanitation Districts within unincorporated San Mateo County.
These districts include:
San Mateo County also manages the following districts:
- Harbor Industrial Sewer Maintenance District
- Devonshire County Sanitation District
- Edgewood Sewer Maintenance District
- Scenic Heights County Sanitation District
- Oak Knoll Sewer Maintenance District
- Kensington Square Sewer Maintenance District
Service Rates
Sewer Service Rates
See our Sewer Service Rate Information page for more details.
Sewer Service Charges are hereby prescribed for each residential unit or residential unit equivalent per connection to each district's sanitary sewerage system, per year or portion thereof, as follows:
|
District |
FY 2025-26 |
FY 2026-27 |
FY 2027-28 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Burlingame Hills SMD |
$2,185 |
$2,294 |
$2,408 |
|
Crystal Springs CSD |
$1,919 |
$1,954 |
$1,984 |
|
Devonshire CSD |
$1,800 |
$1,860 |
$1,920 |
|
Edgewood SMD |
$1,850 |
$1,915 |
$1,980 |
|
Emerald Lake SMD - Zone 1 |
$1,925 |
$1,995 |
$2,065 |
|
Emerald Lake SMD - Zone 2 |
$1,925 |
$1,995 |
$2,065 |
|
Fair Oaks SMD |
$1,135 |
$1,175 |
$1,215 |
|
Harbor Industrial SMD |
$765 |
$805 |
$845 |
|
Kensington Square SMD |
$2,250 |
$2,450 |
$2,650 |
|
Oak Knoll SMD |
$1,845 |
$1,945 |
$2,045 |
|
Scenic Heights CSD |
$2,795 |
$2,995 |
$3,195 |
Guide to Sewer Terms
Glossary
1. Right of Way
Streets and sidewalks. Sewer mains typically run beneath the right of way, usually down the center of the street.
2. Property Line
The boundary between a private property and the right of way, or another private property. A private sewer lateral typically extends beyond the property line and into the public right of way.
3. Sewer Main
A larger pipe that usually runs beneath public streets and takes sewage to treatment facilities. Properties connect to the sewer main via sewer lateral.
4. Cleanout
An access point for a sewer lateral, usually located near the property line.
5. Lower Lateral
The portion of the sewer lateral that runs between the sewer main and a property line cleanout.
6. Upper Lateral
The portion of the sewer lateral that runs between a property line cleanout and the rest of the property.
7. Sewer Lateral
The pipes that connect a private property to the sewer main. It consists of the Upper Lateral and Lower Lateral.
