Independent special districts are voted into existence by the citizens they serve and are sanctioned under California law to perform specific local government functions within certain boundaries. The District was formed in 1928 pursuant to the Sanitary District Act of 1923. It derives its authority in the California Health & Safety Code (Sections 6400-6830).

The District recovers the cost of providing sewer service through rates imposed on users of the service. The District is independently audited and subject to state and public scrutiny. Other special districts in the Carpinteria area provide services such as water, fire protection and mosquito abatement services.