Council approves code changes to require repair of failed sewer laterals, dissolves offset program

San Luis Obispo — The City Council voted to amend Title 13 of the municipal code on April 19, 2026, directing a new mandatory approach for private sewer laterals identified in poor or failed condition and ending the city’s mandatory wastewater flow offset program.

Under the ordinance changes approved 3–0 (Mayor Erica A. Stewart recused; one absence), property owners whose private sewer lateral is determined by a city inspection to be in “poor” or “failed” condition will be required to replace the lateral within 180 days of issuance of a Notice to Correct. The code amendment includes director discretion to grant time extensions when property owners demonstrate a good‑faith inability to complete work within the deadline.

Council also voted to dissolve the 2019 wastewater flow offset program that required certain new or intensified development in capacity‑constrained parts of the city to secure offsets by funding or performing lateral replacements elsewhere. Staff told the council they estimate that 90–95% of projects would no longer require offset actions…