Sewer Connections and Permits
Sewer permits issued by the District are required for all sewer work performed outside the building foundation. You need to get a permit before beginning any sewer work.
After obtaining the proper sewer permit, a homeowner may install, alter, or repair the house sewer on their property. Work located in the street or in a public sewer easement cannot be done by the homeowner and must be performed by a licensed contractor or plumber.
A sewer main extension requires a different application and the fees are set on a case-by-case basis depending on the cost of improvements.
For help with your permit application visit Novato Permit Connections.
- "Side sewer" means the sanitary sewer line beginning at its point of connection with the main sewer and terminating at its point of connection to the building's sanitary or waste plumbing at the point the plumbing first extends outside the building's foundation, which location must be two feet or less from the building foundation. In this overview, the term side sewer includes the lateral sewer stub.
- "Lateral sewer" is that portion of the side sewer which is within the public right-of-way or District easement.
- "House sewer" is that portion of the side sewer from the lateral sewer to its connection to the building plumbing system.
- "Public sewer" is a main sewer which accommodates more than one side sewer, normally eight inches or more in diameter. The District maintains the main sewer.
The following are the conditions for homeowners sewer work.
- The homeowner must pay all applicable fees before the District will issue the permit.
- The homeowner may work on only the house sewer portion of the side sewer.
- No work may be performed without a District permit.
- Homeowner's cannot perform work in a street or within a District easement even if the easement is located on their property.
- To help understand what is involved in sewer construction, the District document "Overview of Side Sewer Requirements" is available.
After a permit is issued for either sewer installation, alteration, or repairs, no changes shall be made in the location of the sewer, the grade, materials, or other details from those described in the permit or as shown on the plans and specifications except with written permission from the Manager-Engineer or authorized district representative.
All sewer construction work is inspected by the District to insure compliance with all requirements. No sewer shall be covered at any point until it has been inspected and passed for acceptance.
You can request an inspection by either phone, or email. Keep in mind that all requests must be done before you intend to begin or resume work.
If a public street or right-of-way is to be excavated, an encroachment permit from City of Novato or County of Marin must by obtained by the homeowner or contractors prior to the work being started.
Where sewers are to be constructed across properties owned by other persons, it is the responsibility of the Permittee to obtain proper easements prior to commencing construction operations.
Requesting an Inspection by Phone
To request an inspection, call 415-892-1694 during business hours. Effective July 12, 2021 Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm, and closed on alternate Fridays.
The request must be made 24 hours in advance of beginning or resuming work.
Requesting an Inspection by Email
If you wish to request an inspection by E-mail, contact Email us to request an inspection. This e-mail request must be made 48 hours in advance of beginning or resuming work.
If a public street or right-of-way is to be excavated, an encroachment permit from City of Novato or County of Marin must by obtained by the homeowner or contractors prior to the work being started.
Where sewers are to be constructed across properties owned by other persons, it is the responsibility of the Permittee to obtain proper easements prior to commencing construction operations.
Obtaining a permit to construct a public sewer within the Novato Sanitary District is a multi-step process.
Complete improvement plans, including profiles and specifications, for a sewer main extension must be received by the District prior to the issuance of a permit for the project. A Registered Civil Engineer must prepare these plans. Fees and a faithful performance bond or cash deposit are required prior to the issuance of the permit. Where sewer easements are required, two copies of each of an easement deed and a map showing the location of the easement must be submitted.
Contact the District office at (415) 892-1694 ext.108 or go to www.novatosan.com for detailed information on obtaining a sewer main extension.
Sewer permits issued by the District are required for all sewer work performed outside the building foundation. Any person legally entitled to construct, repair, or replace a sewer lateral must apply for a permit on forms provided by the District.
A sewer main extension requires a different application and the fees are set on a case-by-case basis depending on the cost of improvements. Information about sewer main extensions is available on this page in the section above.
Sewer permits are available at both NSD headquarters and as an online download. The application with the appropriate fees for the work to be done can be hand-delivered to the District office during normal business hours or mailed.
For help with your permit application visit Novato Permit Connections.
- Sewer Application form Sewer Permit Application (71K Adobe pdf format)
This document is form-fill. Print and submit a hard copy to District. - Sewer fees are outlined in section 709 of Sewer Ordinance #70. The text of section 709 is also available on this site.
- Details on sewer permit connection fees and a fee table are available on a separate page.