Permits & Connection Information
NapaSan's engineers work with residents and businesses to ensure that their project can safely connect to the sewer system. When you apply for a permit at the City or County of Napa, if your project is in the NapaSan service area, you may be directed to bring your project designs to NapaSan as well. This also applies to any type of changes a home or business owner might make to their sewer lines, or creation modification to tenant spaces.
The process for connecting to the sewer system is guided by NapaSan’s Code Title 3. All sewer design and construction must conform to the ordinance and NapaSan’s Sanitary Sewer Standards. Descriptions of permits and processes are intended to be general information for typical applications. Please contact NapaSan Engineering staff at 707-258-6000 for additional information or clarifications.
Industrial Projects & Process Waste Discharge
- Contact NapaSan for specific permitting requirements and fee estimates for industrial projects.
- View general information about Wastewater Discharge Permits.
The construction, extension, or connection to the public sewer is not allowed until a written permit has been obtained from NapaSan, all fees and connection charges have been paid, and any bonds required are furnished.
Improvement plans are reviewed by NapaSan within 30 days of submittal, and are either approved or returned to the applicant to address NapaSan's comments. Resubmitted plans may require up to 30 additional days for review from the time of resubmittal.
Private Lateral Line Repair / Replacement
In some cases, permits to repair or replace private laterals (JPEG) on properties may be obtained over-the-counter at NapaSan’s Administrative Office. Private lateral repairs or replacements are subject to inspection by NapaSan.
Construction Permits
No Public Sewer Lateral Improvements
A permit is required from NapaSan prior to installation or modification of on-site sewer laterals. Capacity charges and inspection fees shall be paid prior to issuance of a sewer permit. To apply for a sewer permit, an applicant must provide two complete sets of plans (contact NapaSan for project specific plan requirements) and a plan check fee. Residential plumbing improvements within the existing foundation do not require plan submittal. No improvements to the public sewer can be made under these permits.
New or Rehabilitation of Public Sewer Laterals
A permit is required from NapaSan prior to installation of sewer fixtures and/or sewer laterals. Capacity charges and inspection fees shall be paid prior to issuance of a sewer permit. To apply for a sewer permit, an applicant must provide two complete sets of plans (contact NapaSan for project specific plan requirements) and a plan check fee. Construction or rehabilitation work on public sewer laterals shall be completed and a permit pulled by a contractor with a valid Class-A license. The contractor shall post a bond and provide insurance information to NapaSan prior to starting work. The posted bond shall be in the amount of $10,000 or equal to the engineer’s estimate of sewer work, whichever is greater.
New Public Main Construction or Extension
A permit is required from NapaSan prior to installation of sewer facility improvements. Capacity charges and inspection fees shall be paid prior to issuance of a sewer permit. To apply for a sewer permit, an applicant must provide two complete sets of plans prepared by a licensed civil engineer (contact NapaSan for project specific plan requirements) and a plan check fee. Construction or rehabilitation work on public sewer mains shall be completed by a contractor with a valid Class-A license. The developer shall enter into an Improvement Agreement with NapaSan and fulfill the requirements of that agreement. Improvement Agreements require NapaSan Board approval.
Demolition Permits
Applicants for demolition permits must submit a demolition plan to NapaSan for review. A permit is required from NapaSan prior to demolition of any structure or facility connected to the public sewer system. Credits for capacity charges will be valid for two years from the date of the demolition permit issued by NapaSan; these credits allow you to reconnect to the sewer system without paying new capacity charges. These capacity charge credits may not be transferred between parcels. After the two years have expired, if you reconnect to the sewer, you will be required to pay the current capacity charges.
Sanitary Sewer & Recycled Water Standards
NapaSan’s Sanitary Sewer and Recycled Water Standards (Standard Specifications) provide guidelines and requirements for the design and construction of sewerage facilities. This includes work on the entire sewer system from the point of connection to the building plumbing to the sewer main in the street. All new design and construction must meet the requirements set forth in the Standards. When you receive a permit from NapaSan for sewer system construction (e.g. to install and connect laterals or extend mainlines), your permit will reference the Standard Specifications appropriate to your project.
Annexation Procedures
Parcels annexed into NapaSan's service area must be located within the Sphere of Influence. To be annexed into the NapaSan service area, the applicant submits an annexation application to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO). LAFCO forwards the application to NapaSan, where it is reviewed to define terms and conditions of annexation. These terms and conditions typically include paying the necessary fees and other sewer facility improvements that may be necessary to serve the area that will be annexed. Annexation requires NapaSan Board approval.
Septic System Conversions
With the exception of a few parcels within NapaSan’s service area, converting from a septic system to the public sewer requires annexation into the NapaSan Sphere of Influence. Once the annexation process is completed, the applicant submits plans to NapaSan to connect to the sewer system. The County will inspect demolition of existing septic systems for projects that will connect to NapaSan’s sanitary sewer system.
NapaSan does not inspect septic systems that have failed and are being reconstructed; those inspections are conducted by the Napa County Planning, Building and Environmental Services Department’s Environmental Health Division.