final step - Public Works

oops! This week Julie called again and found out that as one of the final steps, we need to get Public Works signoff. Apparently this means a backwater valve certification and an encroachment permit. I found this confusing because I thought the plumber who came out in November to do the backwater valve test had sent a copy to Burlingame. Turns out they didn't...
I also had not heard anything about an encroachment permit, which is needed if you're building anything in the city's right of way, which for us is the planter strip and sidewalk.
Well we weren't planning anything there, so I don't know why we needed it.
On Wed the 16th we stopped by Public Works and learned they don't think we need the encroachment permit. They also looked at our backwater valve certificate, which I brought, and they noticed the plumber hadn't signed it.
Doh! Ok, a few frantic calls and we get the plumber to sign the paperwork.
I couldn't get back to the city until late afternoon, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I gave Building the backwater valve certificate and told them Public Works said we didn't need the encroachment permit, so they said we have all the paperwork they need.
Even better, the senior inspector was walking by with the approved sets of plans (3 sets)! So they were able to issue the permit on the spot.

That was the best news I'd heard all week!