Building additions or site improvement work may require the alteration of an existing side sewer.  Any sanitary sewer work done outside of the building walls requires a Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San) permit and must be inspected by Central San.  The side sewer alteration work may be performed by the property owner or a properly licensed contractor registered with Central San.  A property owner may work on only the house sewer portion of the side sewer.  Any work within Central San easements or the public right-of-way or any work that will be deeper than five (5) feet must be done by a properly licensed contractor.

Central San staff reviews building and site improvement plans for possible encroachments into existing public easements or conflicts with existing Central San facilities.  If encroachments exist, plans must be revised to meet Central San requirements.  Central San staff will also review the plans for the need to alter the existing side sewer and the applicability of a sewer alteration permit.  Plan review fees and inspection charges, if any, will be determined as well. Most fees are due at the time Central San approves the plans.

Central San does not approve the building plans for construction.  That function is handled by the local jurisdiction responsible for the building permits.

Definitions

1. “Side sewer” is the privately owned and maintained sewer which connects the plumbing system of the building to the public sewer.  The side sewer begins at and includes the connection to the public sewer and terminates at the point of connection to the building plumbing system.  “Side sewer” includes the lateral sewer and the house sewer.
2. “Lateral sewer” that portion of the side sewer which is within the public right-of-way or CCCSD easement.
3. “House sewer” is that portion of the side sewer from the lateral sewer to its connection to the building plumbing system.
4. “Public sewer” is a main sewer which may have one or more side sewers connected to it. These sewers are normally 8 inches or larger in diameter.

Procedures

1. Applicant delivers complete building plans to Central San staff for review.
2. Central San staff review the building plans as outlined above.  The plans may be required to be revised and resubmitted in order to meet Central San requirements.
3. The applicant completes an application for the work on the side sewer.
4. Plans are stamped to inform the county or the city building department of any additional Central San requirements, or that Central San requirements have been met.  An additional stamp/sticker will be placed on the plans to notify the responsible party that a Central San permit is required prior to starting any of the outside sanitary sewer work and that an inspection by Central San is is required for any sanitary sewer work to be done outside of the building.
5. The application is placed in the Central San system for the calculation of applicable fees, and future issuance of the required Central San permit.
6. Applicable fees are paid by the applicant.
7. The applicant obtains a building permit from the appropriate county or city building department.
8. The Central San permit will need to be obtained by the contractor prior to starting any exterior sewer work, including any trenching. Central San will issue a permit for the side sewer alteration work to a properly licensed contractor, hired by the applicant, and who is registered with Central San.  The Central San permit will be issued only at the Central San permit counter.  The contractor will be responsible for all necessary side sewer work. If property owners wish to do their own side sewer work, they can perform only that work which is located within their property and work that will not be deeper than five (5) feet.  Specific requirements for “property owner” work are summarized in the “conditions for Property Owners Permit” handout.
9. Central San inspection shall be arranged at least one (1) business day prior to performing any work, including trenching.  The Central San inspection group can be reached at (925) 229-7373.
10. Sewer work may begin on the date of the scheduled Central San inspection.  It is the responsibility of the permittee to arrange for the necessary Central San inspections as the work progresses.  Work performed without Central San inspection will be subject to removal and reconstruction.
11. When the side sewer work is completed, including backfill and compaction, a Central San inspector will provide a final inspection upon request by the permittee.

Application for Sewer Repairs / Alterations / Extensions