Berkeley · Independent guide with official links

Know what to check before closing in Berkeley.

Start with Berkeley BESO and the City's separate sewer-lateral program, then verify the building type, transfer, and current portal status.

Independent websiteNo account or addressOfficial sources control

Bay Sale Ready is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Oakland, City of Berkeley, EBMUD, CSLB, or any professional appearing in a linked external resource.

A practical order of operations

Check the record before ordering work.

  1. 01
    Identify what to ask

    Use the property-type matrix only as a question prompt.

  2. 02
    Check existing records

    Open City-issued records and review the dates shown there.

  3. 03
    Confirm the official next action

    Use the responsible agency before hiring or relying on a deadline.

01

Start here

Build a general question list

Choose only general facts. No address or account is needed.

Vacant land, no-structure parcels, unusual ownership, or mixed use: confirm the path directly with the responsible agency.

The question list updates instantly when a selection changes.

Property type and timing stay in this browser session. Changing city opens that city's page, so the city appears in the requested URL and may be present in ordinary hosting logs. The site requests no name, property address, email, or phone.

Berkeley question list

Start with these official checks

Berkeley · Single-family home · Preparing to list

Planning context: Check existing certificates and agency records before scheduling assessments or work.

2 programs to verify

Berkeley · Single-family home · Preparing to list: 2 programs to verify. This is a general question list, not a property-specific determination.

Your next checks

Open the record before ordering work.

Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Have these ready before opening an official portalProperty typeExisting certificates or permit recordsHOA or CC&Rs, if applicableCurrent transaction timing
  1. Question to verifyCity of Berkeley · BESO

    Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO)

    Ask the responsible agency: Ask BESO which building path to follow

    Use Berkeley's BESO portal to check the building record, then confirm the correct building category in the City instructions.

    Document to look for
    Home Energy Score or energy assessment plus the applicable City-approved BESO form, certificate, exemption, or deferral
    General responsibility context — confirm for this transaction
    Ask BESO and transaction professionals to confirm the seller and buyer roles for the building and transfer path

    Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

  2. Question to verifyCity of Berkeley · Public Works

    Sewer Lateral Certificate

    Ask the responsible agency: Ask Public Works which transfer path to follow

    Search Berkeley's permit records for an existing sewer-lateral certificate before arranging testing or repairs.

    Document to look for
    City of Berkeley Sewer Lateral Certificate or City-approved transfer extension
    General responsibility context — confirm for this transaction
    Ask Public Works, the HOA when relevant, and transaction professionals to confirm responsibility for the property and transfer

    Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Supporting detail

Details, exceptions, and source trail

1
Question to verifyCity of Berkeley · BESO

Building Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO)

Ask the responsible agency: Ask BESO which building path to follow

Read details, exceptions, and sources

Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked official sources: Berkeley's published BESO materials state that, beginning January 1, 2026, the one- or two-unit path includes a Home Energy Score before listing, subject to the City's stated exclusions and exemptions. Ask BESO to confirm the building and transfer path.

Verify at official source: Time-of-Sale Energy Requirements for Small Residential Buildings · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026 Verify at official source: BESO Administrative Regulations, Version 5.0 · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Official sources · Individual Bay Sale Ready review dates shown below

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

2
Question to verifyCity of Berkeley · Public Works

Sewer Lateral Certificate

Ask the responsible agency: Ask Public Works which transfer path to follow

Read details, exceptions, and sources

Bay Sale Ready summary of the linked official sources: Berkeley's published Public Works materials describe a Sewer Lateral Certificate process tied to close of escrow or transfer of title and advise starting before listing. Ask Public Works to confirm the particular transfer and record.

Verify at official source: Private Sewer Lateral · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026 Verify at official source: Private Sewer Lateral Compliance Guide · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Official sources · Individual Bay Sale Ready review dates shown below

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

This is an unofficial general question list, not legal advice, an application, certificate, disclosure, permit, legal deadline, or determination for a property or transaction. It may not cover every fact, exception, or rule change. Current governing law, live agency materials, and the responsible agency's decision control. Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Focused official-source guides

Open one official-source topic at a time.

These pages explain the records and questions to verify. They do not decide what applies to a particular property or transaction.

Berkeley BESO

BESO at time of sale: a building-type guide

Start with the building type and current City instructions before selecting an assessor or planning work.

Open the focused guide
Berkeley PSL

Private sewer lateral: certificate questions

Check the City record and current process before relying on a certificate, extension, or closing timeline.

Open the focused guide

Property-type matrix

One city, different starting questions.

This matrix publishes the same source-linked questions used by the browser-only question tool. It shows what to verify, not an official determination.

Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Berkeley home-sale questions by property type
Property typeBuilding Emissions Saving Ordinance (BESO)Sewer Lateral Certificate
Single-family homeVerify the Home Energy Score and City path with BESO
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Verify certificate and transfer path with Public Works
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
DuplexVerify the Home Energy Score and City path with BESO
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Verify certificate and transfer path with Public Works
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
3–4 unit propertyVerify the assessment or deferral path with BESO
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Verify certificate and transfer path with Public Works
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Condominium or townhomeCheck individual-unit and whole-building scope
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Verify certificate and transfer path with Public Works
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
5+ unit or commercial buildingConfirm building category and path with BESO
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026
Verify certificate and transfer path with Public Works
Verify at official source · last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

This is an unofficial general question list, not legal advice, an application, certificate, disclosure, permit, legal deadline, or determination for a property or transaction. It may not cover every fact, exception, or rule change. Current governing law, live agency materials, and the responsible agency's decision control. Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Official starting points

Open official directories and review credentials independently.

Bay Sale Ready does not maintain or curate a provider list. These links open official agency resources and are not a recommendation, ranking, endorsement, or verification of quality, availability, price, insurance, or suitability. Bay Sale Ready does not match users, forward requests, negotiate, contract, supervise work, accept payment, or receive referral compensation.

01Berkeley BESO · 1–4 units

Use the City's registered energy-assessor list

City registration qualifies an assessor for the BESO assessment role. It is not a City endorsement and does not prove a CSLB construction license.

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

02Berkeley BESO · multifamily/commercial

Use the building-type-specific assessor list

Choose the official list that matches the building. Verify any contractor needed for upgrade work separately from the assessor role.

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

03Berkeley sewer lateral

Independently verify the PSL contractor's license

Berkeley administers its own PSL program. Use the City's PSL guidance for the work and CSLB's live record to verify the contractor role and status.

Verify at the official source: Check a contractor license

Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready

Verify at the official source: Private Sewer Lateral

Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Official source register

Every published statement traces to a source.

Dataset last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready on July 18, 2026. Each source card shows its own review date. The responsible agency and its official materials control if anything differs from this summary.

Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready: . Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

City of Berkeley · BESO

Time-of-Sale Energy Requirements for Small Residential Buildings

Agency page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

Time-of-Sale Energy Requirements for Multifamily and Commercial Buildings

Agency page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

BESO Administrative Regulations, Version 5.0

November 1, 2025 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

BESO Compliance Guide for Small Residential Buildings

Updated April 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

BESO Portal

Service linked by the City BESO pages · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

Registered BESO Energy Assessors for houses

April 7, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 17, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · BESO

Registered BESO Energy Assessors for multifamily and commercial buildings

May 20, 2026 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 17, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Private Sewer Lateral

Agency page; no publication date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Private Sewer Lateral Compliance Guide

Revised July 31, 2024 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Private Sewer Lateral permit application

Revised November 15, 2024; verify filing instructions with Public Works · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Private Sewer Lateral Certificate Application

Revised October 21, 2025 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Private Sewer Lateral Verification Testing Guidelines

Agency PDF; no revision date shown · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Public Works

Agreement for Time Extension to Obtain a Sewer Lateral Certificate

Revised August 16, 2024 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Finance Department

Sewer Lateral Extension Deposit Form

Revised January 17, 2023 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley · Finance Department

Claim for Refund of Money Paid

Revised August 2019 · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
City of Berkeley

Berkeley Accela permit records

Service linked by the City PSL page · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 18, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source
California Contractors State License Board

Check a contractor license

Agency online service · Last reviewed by Bay Sale Ready July 17, 2026

Information may have changed since our last review. Verify current requirements and status directly with the responsible agency before relying on it.

Verify at the official source