Whenever property exchange hands in California, inspections are required to confirm that landscaping and indoor water fixtures are up to standard. Below highlights the process for acquiring the certification needed.
Procedure to Complete Certification
First the Seller or the Seller's Representative conducts a self-survey and submits the following documents and photographs to District staff by email at conservation@mcwd.org.
- Submit Survey, Forms and Photos
- Water Use Self-Survey Form - This is a brief listing of the bathrooms, all the water fixtures present, and the extent of landscaping and irrigation systems. Download the form: Water Use Self-Survey Form
- Water Conservation Self-Certification Form - Please have the upper section of the Water Conservation Self-Certification Form completed by the Seller or their representative. Download the form here: Water Conservation Self-Certification Form
- Submit one photo of each complete bathroom.
- Submit detailed photos of all the toilets to help us verify the manufacturer and flow rate (close-ups of labels, stampings, and manufacture dates may be inside the tank).
- Submit photos of front and backyard landscaping.
- Evaluation: Once the documents and photographs are received, District staff will determine if the property is compliant with the Water Code.
- If you "pass" the inspection, the certification will be signed by conservation staff and returned to you. Once you receive the counter-signed certificate, you may then present it to the Buyer for their acceptance and signature.
- If you "fail" the inspection, it is likely the home needs retrofitting to be compliant. If retrofitting is needed, you will be notified by staff about the specific work to be done.
Retrofit Requirements for Property Transfers
If not constructed to the current District standards, or if fixtures are altered, failing, or missing, plumbing retrofits are required prior to the close of title for the sale and transfer of all existing properties in the Marina Coast Water District service area.
See our Rebates & Incentives Summary page for information on free showerhead devices and rebates for toilets, clothes washers, irrigation controllers and hot water circulation equipment.
Residential Retrofit Requirements
Housing units built per District standards of 2007 or later must have, as required, the following conforming equipment:
- Hot water recirculation
- High-efficiency toilets (note: for older housing units, all toilets must be retrofitted with toilets with a maximum flush capacity of 1.6 gallons per flush or less. No flush devices or conversion devices will be accepted.)
- Water-free urinals
- Smart irrigation controller
- High efficiency showerheads – showerheads must have a maximum flow capacity of 2.5 gallons per minute or less. Installing flow restriction washers in existing showerheads to reduce their flow does not satisfy the requirement.
Commercial Retrofit Requirements
- Urinals: Conventional urinals must be replaced with zero-water-use urinals
- Toilets: All toilets must be retrofitted with toilets with a maximum flush capacity of 1.6 gallons per flush or less. No flush devices or conversion devices of any other kind will be accepted.
- Clothes Washers: Conventional clothes washers must be replaced with high-efficiency clothes washers.
- Showerheads: All showerheads must be retrofitted with low-flow showerheads with a maximum flow capacity of 2.5 gallons per minute or less. These low-flow showerheads must also have a shut-off button. Installing flow restrictors in existing showerheads does not satisfy the requirement.
Note: the responsibility to retrofit the property and to schedule the required inspection passes from the seller to the buyer only if the District receives and approves a letter of proposal from the buyer stating that they accept responsibility to retrofit the property. Please contact District's Water Conservation staff to learn more about this procedure, and to request an extension of time for the Buyer to complete the required retrofitting after the sale of the property.