On Monday, August 28 the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors will be hosting an informational session for realtors to learn about proposed changes to the Sanitary Sewer Ordinance. This spring, the City of Santa Cruz Public Works Department proposed that:

• Prior to the sale of property, the property owner must have the sewer lateral inspected by an authorized inspector, make any needed repairs and submit an inspection form to verify compliance.

The requirement for inspection or repair of a sewer lateral will not hold up the point of sale. Rather, the inspection can be completed following the sale of the home, based on the negotiation between the buyer and the seller. More importantly, the requirement aims to make buyer and seller aware of the state of the lateral pipe and ensure that if needed, repairs are made in a timely manner. Sewer lateral repairs can help protect the environment and save a homeowner from the headache and expense of a complete lateral failure.

During the information session, staff from City of Public Works and Coastal Watershed Council will share how the inspection requirements will influence realtors and clients in Santa Cruz and how they will improve environmental health in our community. To attend, please RSVP by calling the Santa Cruz County Association of Realtors office at (831) 464-2000.