Residential Property SLIP Procedures

The step-by-step guide illustrated below was designed to assist property owners throughout the process of completing the requirements of the Sewer Lateral Inspection Program. Property owners in need of additional assistance can request a virtual appointment with staff.

Step 1: City staff contacts property owners via mail requesting an inspection of the property's sewer lateral.

Step 2: Property owner schedules Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Inspection on the property's sewer lateral, using the City's Video Assistance Program (VAP) or using the Certified Inspector of their choice. Please note that plumbers must complete the City's Certification Class yearly in order to remain eligible. VAP participants must schedule their inspections through the City and must use the City's contracted inspector, inspections from other inspectors will not receive VAP funding. VAP funding is available on a first come, first served bases. 

Step 3: Following the CCTV inspection, the certified CCTV inspector must submit the inspection via Forward Lateral within 60 days. Inspections submitted via other platforms will be rejected. Property owner's should provide the inspector with an email address in order to receive an automated email when the inspection is submitted. 

Step 4: Once your inspection is received, SLIP staff will review the inspection and assign a ”Grade” based on the National Association of Sewer Service Companies’ (NASSCO) Lateral Assessment Certification Program .  The grades will range from 0 to 5, laterals with a “Grade 0”  have no defects present while laterals who score a “Grade 5” are failing.   The laterals “Grade” will determine if repairs are required or if the lateral qualifies for a maintenance plan. 

If the inspection is inconsistent or incomplete, SLIP Staff will follow up with the property owner and inspector. 

Step 5: If no repairs are needed, the property owner will receive a Sewer Lateral Certificate of Compliance and no further action is needed. If repairs are needed, the property owner will receive a Sewer Lateral Repair Notice. The repair notice will provide details on which repairs are required in order for the sewer lateral to be in compliance.

Step 6: If the property owner wishes to appeal the Sewer Lateral Notice of Repair, they must do so within 15 calendar days to SLIP@SantaBarbaraCA.gov. The Public Works Director or their representative will respond to the appeal. Property owners not submitting an appeal or whose appeal is denied, should continue to the next step.

Step 7: Repairs listed in the Sewer Lateral Notice of Repair and submission of the Sewer Lateral Repairs Documentation must be completed in 120 days, extensions may be considered on a case-by-case bases. Note that all repairs require a permit, never hire a plumber that tells you Sewer Lateral repair don't require a permit.

Step 8: The property owner or plumber will submit the Repair Documentation proving that the repair was properly completed to SLIP staff for review. A paid invoice from your contractor listing all required repairs or a copy of the Final Inspection Sign-off for all required repairs can serve as Repair Documentation. 

Step 9: SLIP staff will review Repair Documentation, keep records of the repairs conducted on the Private Sewer Lateral, and issue a Certificate of Compliance to the property owner. If your SLIP Case was initiated due to a construction project on your property, the Certificate of Compliance will be needed when applying for building permits. Staff recommends you keep the Certificate of Compliance for your records.