New Ordinances For Homes in the Ross Valley Sanitary District

It's that time of year when laws, props, ordinances and the like that were voted on previously are taking affect. The every day home owner can't be expected to know every new law that's passed, and so today I'm letting you know about one that immediately affects many home owners in Marin County.

Ordinance 66

Ordinance 66 pertains to the regulation of the maintenance of private sewer laterals. It has already taken effect as of January 1st 2015, and it affects many homes in the following towns that are in the Ross Valley Sanitary District:

- Larkspur
- Greenbrae
- Kentfield
- Ross
- San Anselmo
- Fairfax
- Bon Air
- Oak Manor
- Kent Woodlands
- Murray Park

When we get big downpours like we did earlier this winter, old sewer laterals leading from private properties overflow into the county's main sewer lines, and when this happens the water treatment centers down the line can become overburdened. Then the county is opened up to many fines and penalties by the federal government and even from private litigation. To prevent this from happening, the district has passed Ordinance 66 so that faulty or old laterals can start to be addressed and the problem of overflow and spill can be lessened or stopped.

What this means for you as a home owner is that the RVSD will be alerted that you will need an inspection whenever you meet the following criteria:
- Any remodeling projects that are greater than $75,000 or any projects having to do with an addition of a bathroom.
- The sale of a property.

This ordinance will NOT affect you if you know you have a septic system, or if your home is less than 20 years old and the RVSD has a properly permitted inspection on file.

If you'd like to read the full document, which is not very long, or for more information on ordinances and regulations, you can find it at the RVSD's website at: RVSD Resolutions and Ordinances, or you can call them at 415-259-2949.

You can also get monetary help if your lateral is in need of replacement, the information on the Lateral Replacement Grant Program is on their homepage at: rvsd.org.

What do you think about the new ordinance? Let me know in the comments below.

~ Kelly Cranmer Valadez