HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/21/2026 Item 7b, Hagwood
Tessa Hagwood <
To:E-mail Council Website
Subject:Opposition to Point of Sale Sewer Lateral Requirement
Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
I am writing to express opposition to implementing a point of sale requirement for sewer
lateral inspections or replacements.
While I support the City’s goal of maintaining and improving critical infrastructure, tying
sewer lateral compliance to the transfer of property is not the most effective or equitable
approach.
Point of sale mandates place a significant and often unexpected financial burden on
buyers and sellers during an already complex transaction. These requirements can
delay closings, create uncertainty, and in some cases derail otherwise viable home
sales. They also concentrate costs on a small group of property owners based solely on
timing, rather than addressing system needs in a consistent and strategic way.
More importantly, a point of sale approach does not necessarily target the properties
most in need of repair. Sewer laterals that are failing or contributing to system issues
can exist independently of whether a property is being sold. As a result, this policy risks
missing higher priority repairs while imposing costs on properties that may not present
immediate concerns.
A more effective path would be a program that prioritizes known problem areas,
incorporates reasonable timelines for compliance, and explores incentives or financing
options to support property owners. This type of approach would better align
infrastructure improvements with actual system needs while reducing unintended
impacts on housing availability and affordability.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Tessa
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Tessa Hagwood | Broker Associate
805.215.6938
forsaleslo.com
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