Who is responsible for the sewer line from the house to the street? A city-by-city lookup
Updated
The short answer
In most US cities the homeowner is responsible for the sewer lateral from the house to the public main — often including the part under the street and the connection itself. Some cities take over at the property line, the curb or a cleanout. In 35 of the 52 cities below, the owner's share runs to the main. Search your city.
How urgent · It depends
Not urgent until something breaks — but it can decide who pays for the most expensive part of a repair. Check your city's rule before buying a house or a protection plan.
52 cities shown
| City | Owner's share ends at | The part under the street | Program | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa, AZCity of Mesa Water Resources | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains and cleans the whole lateral from the house to the main; the city is responsible for the main. | Owner. | City-endorsed optional paid warranty (Service Line Warranties of America) — not city-funded. | [1] |
| Phoenix, AZCity of Phoenix Water Services | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner must clean, unstop, maintain and repair the building connection from the home to the public sewer line. | City, for single-family and duplex homes, when a broken section in the public right-of-way must be repaired or replaced. | None found | [1] |
| Tucson, AZPima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation (RWRD) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns the house connection sewer up to and including the connection to the public sewer in the street or alley. | Owner, though RWRD says it may repair the right-of-way portion in certain situations. | RWRD may repair the damaged right-of-way portion in some cases; criteria not published. | [1] |
| Fresno, CACity of Fresno Department of Public Utilities | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains and repairs the lateral from the house to the public main, including under the sidewalk and street. | Owner — stated explicitly. | None found | [1] |
| Long Beach, CALong Beach Utilities | Varies — see detailThe owner is fully responsible from the building to the sidewalk or property line; the street section is shared with the City, and the owner does routine maintenance of both. | Shared owner/City responsibility. | None found | [1] |
| Los Angeles, CALA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the entire lateral: the upper lateral to the property line and the lower lateral to the middle of the street. | Owner — work in the right-of-way needs a Bureau of Engineering permit. | LASAN Sewer Lateral Repair Rebate: up to $2,500 for a repair by a licensed, bonded sewer contractor. | [1][2] |
| Oakland, CAOakland Public Works | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the lateral from the building to the public main; the City has the mains. | Owner. | None found | [1] |
| Palo Alto, CACity of Palo Alto Utilities (Rule 23) | CleanoutThe customer owns the upper lateral, from the first City cleanout (normally in the planting strip) to the building; with no accessible City cleanout, the whole lateral. | City, only where an accessible City cleanout exists. | None found | [1] |
| Sacramento (SacSewer area), CASacramento Area Sewer District (SacSewer) | CleanoutThe owner is responsible for the upper lateral, from the building to the District cleanout; with no District cleanout, to the edge of the public sewer easement. Parcels on the City of Sacramento's own system weren't verified. | District — it maintains and repairs the lower lateral where it owns the main. | None found | [1] |
| San Diego, CACity of San Diego Public Utilities (Wastewater) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe entire lateral, from the building to the City main under the street, is the owner's private property to maintain. | Depends — City crews respond when a licensed plumber shows the lateral is blocked or collapsed beyond the property line; the City may bill the owner. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| San Francisco, CASan Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns the entire lateral — the upper lateral from the building to the curb and the lower lateral from the curb to the main. | Owner owns it, but under most circumstances the SFPUC repairs or replaces the lower lateral when its inspection finds the need. | SFPUC lower-lateral repair or replacement at no extra cost after its inspection, requested through 311. | [1][2] |
| San Jose, CACity of San José Department of Transportation (Sewers & Storm Drains) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the entire lateral; as a courtesy the City maintains the lower part, from an approved property-line wye cleanout to the main, where one is installed. | Owner, unless an approved wye cleanout is installed — then the City maintains cleanout to main. | For a fee the City installs an approved wye cleanout, then repairs the lateral from that cleanout to the main. | [1][2] |
| Colorado Springs, COColorado Springs Utilities | Whole lateral, to the mainThe customer owns the private wastewater service line and the tap where it joins the main. | Owner, including the tap. | None found | [1] |
| Denver, CODenver Dept. of Transportation & Infrastructure (Wastewater Management) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe city is responsible only for the public main sewers; the service line is private and the owner repairs it through a plumber. | Owner, by inference — the city says it is responsible only for main public sewers. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Washington, DCDC Water | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner must maintain the sewer service line and clear clogs in it, including the public portion of the lateral. | DC Water may repair building sewers from the public sewer to the property line, at the owner's cost (D.C. Code § 8-205). | None found | [1][2]Inferred from wording |
| Jacksonville, FLJEA | Property lineJEA's service line runs from the collection main to the property line; the owner has the building sewer. | JEA repairs damage to its own service line, but an owner who caused a blockage pays for it. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Tampa, FLCity of Tampa Wastewater Department | Property lineThe owner or a plumber resolves problems between the right-of-way and the house. | City, by inference — water at the property-line cleanout points to the City line. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Atlanta, GAAtlanta Department of Watershed Management | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains and repairs the entire service lateral connecting the building to the City sewer. | Owner. | None found | [1] |
| Chicago, ILChicago Department of Water Management | Property lineThe owner looks after the drain on private property; for homes of up to four units the City may repair breaks under the public way, from the city sidewalk to the center of the street. | City, for residences of up to four units, once a licensed sewer contractor has rodded or video-inspected the line and a City inspector reviews it. | Private Drain Program: free City repair of drains proven broken under the public way, for residences of up to four units. | [1] |
| Louisville, KYLouisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) | Easement or right-of-way lineMSD maintains the property service connection from its sewer to the right-of-way, property or easement line; the owner is responsible from there to the house. | MSD, for the property service connection between the public sewer and the right-of-way, property or easement line. | None found | [1] |
| Boston, MABoston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner pays to maintain and repair the entire lateral, from inside the basement to BWSC's main in the street. | Owner — BWSC maintains only the main. | BWSC Sewer Lateral Financial Assistance Program: reimburses up to $8,000 for an 8 ft relay or $6,000 for a full lateral when BWSC verifies it is blocked, collapsed or leaking; once every 10 years. | [1] |
| Baltimore, MDBaltimore City Department of Public Works | Property lineOwners maintain and repair sewer pipes in their buildings and within their property lines; the city does not repair private sewer lines. | Not stated directly on the city's FAQ — ask DPW. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Detroit, MIDetroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the sewer line from the house to the connection at the city's collection pipe — in most neighborhoods in the alley. | Owner, including the connection; in eligible alleys the city program rebuilds the connection at no cost. | DWSD Alley Sewer Repair Program: grant-funded, no-cost reinstatement of private line connections to the city sewer in eligible low-to-moderate-income alleys; not the private line itself. | [1][2] |
| Minneapolis, MNMinneapolis Public Works | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the whole sanitary service lateral, including the connection at the public sewer. | Owner, including the connection. | Private Sewer Lateral Grant (Met Council-funded): pays 50–75% of future repairs, capped by location, for owner-occupied 1–3 unit homes; awarded by lottery. | [1] |
| Florissant (St. Louis County), MOCity of Florissant Sewer Lateral Insurance Program | Varies — see detailThe owner stays responsible inside the home and within five feet of the foundation; the city program pays for repairs from the main to that point. | City program, for homes paying the fee. | $50 a year on the tax bill (6 units or fewer) covers defective-lateral repairs from the main to within 5 ft of the foundation; $300 deposit. | [1] |
| Kansas City, MOKC Water | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains and repairs the whole lateral, from its connection at the sewer main to the building plumbing. | Owner — though KC Water's Director may, under set conditions, authorize repair of a defective section in the City's right-of-way or easement. | Discretionary KC Water repair of a defective right-of-way or easement section, under conditions in its lateral repair rules. | [1][2] |
| Maryland Heights (St. Louis County), MOCity of Maryland Heights Public Works | Whole lateral, to the mainThe homeowner owns the lateral; a fee-funded city program pays most repairs. | Owner owns it; the city program pays. | $50 a year (6 units or fewer): pays 100% of repairs up to $10,000 and 50% above. | [1] |
| St. Louis (city), MOCity of St. Louis Street Department (MSD owns the mains) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe whole lateral from the home to the MSD main is the owner's private property. | The City program pays for breaks under the public right-of-way; clogs and private-property breaks are the owner's. | Sewer Lateral Repair Program: $28 a year on the tax bill (6 units or fewer) funds repair of breaks under the public right-of-way. | [1] |
| Charlotte, NCCharlotte Water | CleanoutCharlotte Water is responsible for the sewer service from the main to the cleanout directly behind the road right-of-way; the owner has the plumbing from that cleanout to the house. | Charlotte Water — the service connection in public rights-of-way and its easements. | Charlotte Water-partnered HomeServe USA water and sewer line protection plan (optional, paid). | [1][2][3] |
| Raleigh, NCRaleigh Water | Whole lateral, to the mainThe homeowner is responsible for the line from the home to the connection with the City's main. | Owner, up to the connection; the City maintains the mains. | None found | [1] |
| Omaha, NECity of Omaha Public Works, Sewer Maintenance | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains and repairs the service lateral from the building to its connection at the main sewer. | Owner — the City repairs only the main sewer lines. | None found | [1] |
| Albuquerque, NMAlbuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns the lateral and the parts connecting it to the utility sewer in the street or alley. | Owner — the connection is private. | None found | [1] |
| Las Vegas, NVCity of Las Vegas Public Works | Whole lateral, to the mainOwners maintain private laterals from their property to where they connect to the city sewer main. | Owner — the duty runs to the connection at the city main. | None found | [1] |
| New York, NYNYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns and repairs the whole sewer service line from the building to the City sewer main in the street. | Owner — DEP covers the City mains; a backup traced to the private line brings a Notice to Repair. | DEP-endorsed optional Service Line Protection Program (a paid plan, not a subsidy). | [1] |
| Cincinnati, OHMetropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns the entire private building sewer, from the building to the MSD sewer. | Depends — MSD may repair structural defects in the right-of-way portion in some instances. | None found | [1] |
| Columbus, OHCity of Columbus Department of Public Utilities, Division of Sewerage and Drainage | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner maintains the building sewer (lateral) all the way to its connection with the public sewer. | Owner — the City maintains only the City-owned public sewer. | Blueprint Columbus lateral lining in selected neighborhoods, at no direct cost to the homeowner. | [1][2] |
| Oklahoma City, OKCity of Oklahoma City Utilities Department | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the private sewer line from the house to its connection at the City main. | Owner — the City repairs the main; private lines are the owner's to repair or replace. | None found | [1] |
| Tulsa, OKCity of Tulsa (Title 11-C) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe code's house sewer runs from the building drain to the public sewer, and the City has no obligation to maintain or repair it. | Owner, by inference from the code. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Portland, ORCity of Portland (BES / Development Services) | CurbThe owner is responsible for the sewer line from the house to the curb, including the right-of-way strip between property line and curb. | City — the city is responsible for the public sewer under the street. | None found | [1] |
| Philadelphia, PAPhiladelphia Water Department (PWD) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is solely responsible for the house drain, curb trap, lateral and the slant (tap) joining the lateral to the PWD sewer. | Owner, including the connection at the sewer. | Homeowner's Emergency Loan Program (HELP): zero-interest loan over 60 months after a Notice of Defect. | [1][2] |
| Pittsburgh, PAPittsburgh Water (PWSA) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner is responsible for the entire lateral; PWSA maintains the main and the wye joint. | Owner, up to the wye. | None found | [1] |
| Chattanooga, TNCity of Chattanooga | CleanoutSince a November 2022 ordinance the owner is responsible only for the line on private property, with a cleanout required at the right-of-way line. | City repairs laterals under the right-of-way after the owner's plumber cameras and tries to clear the line. | 2022 ordinance moved right-of-way lateral repair to the City. | [1] |
| Nashville, TNMetro Water Services | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns and maintains the sewer service line from the public main to the building. | Metro repairs the section inside the public right-of-way or easement once the owner has made a good-faith effort and provided excavated access. | Metro right-of-way repair (Metro Code 15.40.050, Ord. BL2006-1239): residential customers are not billed for Metro's repair of the right-of-way section. | [1][2] |
| Arlington, TXArlington Water Utilities | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns and maintains the lateral up to and including its tie-in at the main. | City repairs structural failures in the right-of-way or easement at no cost, after the owner's plumber has cleared the line. | City-coordinated no-cost structural repair of the right-of-way section. | [1] |
| Austin, TXAustin Water | Property lineThe owner is responsible for the yard line from the property line to the building; Austin Water maintains the service connection. | City — Austin Water maintains the service connection to the main. | None found | [1]Inferred from wording |
| Dallas, TXDallas Water Utilities (DWU) | Property lineThe City maintains the wastewater service connection from the main to the property line; the building lateral from the property line to the house is the owner's. | City — DWU maintains the service connection from the main to the property line. | None found | [1] |
| El Paso, TXEl Paso Water | Whole lateral, to the mainThe customer is responsible for the sewer service line from the tap at the main into the property. | Owner, by inference — responsibility starts at the tap on the main. | None found | [1] |
| Houston, TXHouston Public Works | CleanoutThe owner is responsible for the private line nearer the home; the street-side cleanout marks where the City's public system begins. | City — pipes in the public right-of-way are Houston Public Works' responsibility. | None found | [1] |
| San Antonio, TXSan Antonio Water System (SAWS) | Property lineSAWS maintains, repairs and replaces the lateral from the main to the property line or easement line; the owner has the rest. | City (SAWS). | SAWS reimburses normal plumber charges when the blockage is shown to be beyond the property; Laterals to People helps income-qualified owner-occupants. | [1][2] |
| Virginia Beach, VAVirginia Beach Department of Public Utilities | CleanoutCity Code requires a City-owned cleanout on the lateral at or near the property line; the owner's share is the line from the house to that cleanout. | Implied City — the cleanout is City property and the City clears blockages in its own infrastructure at no charge; the code doesn't say outright who repairs the street side. | None found | [1][2]Inferred from wording |
| Seattle, WASeattle Public Utilities (SPU) | Whole lateral, to the mainThe owner owns the whole side sewer, including the part past the property line, up to the public sewer main under the street. | Owner: the side sewer runs beyond the property line to the mainline, and only the mainline is SPU's. | SPU interest-free side sewer repair loans for low- or fixed-income customers. | [1] |
| Milwaukee, WICity of Milwaukee DPW | Whole lateral, to the mainOwners own the lateral from the home to the sewer main, including the point of connection. | Owner, including the connection. | Citywide Lateral Replacements (City/MMSD): no-cost repair of defective laterals with outstanding code violations on owner-occupied properties. | [1] |
52 cities in 27 states, each read from the city’s or its sewer utility’s own page or code on October 17, 2026 — each source number links to the page it rests on. Where the owner’s share ends: whole lateral, to the main 35 · property line 7 · cleanout 6 · curb 1 · easement or right-of-way line 1 · varies — see detail 2. “Inferred from wording” marks rows where the city implies the split rather than stating it. Cities we couldn’t verify from an official source — including Fort Worth, Indianapolis, Miami-Dade and Memphis — are left out until we can. Rules change; your city’s page is the authority.
How to find your city's rule in five minutes
- Find who runs your sewers. It's on your water or sewer bill — a city public works or utilities department, a county, or a separate sewer district.
- Search that agency's site for 'sewer lateral', 'building sewer', 'side sewer' or 'service connection' — cities use different words for the same pipe.
- Look for the words that set the split: 'to the main', 'property line', 'right-of-way', 'curb' or 'cleanout'. A diagram, if they have one, settles it.
- If the site doesn't say, check the municipal code's sewer chapter (most are on Municode or American Legal), or call public works and ask exactly where the owner's responsibility ends.
- Ask whether there's a repair, rebate, reimbursement or loan program — several large cities have one — and what proof they need, usually camera footage with the defect's location.
Why the answer changes at the property line
The pipe is one continuous line, but the ground it runs through changes owner. The section in your yard is on your land; the section under the sidewalk and street is in the public right-of-way. Most cities still treat the whole lateral as part of the building it serves, so the owner is responsible end to end, and needs a right-of-way permit and often a city-approved contractor to dig in the street. Others treat the right-of-way section as part of the public system.
Even in the 15 cities below where the owner's share stops short of the main, clogs are usually the owner's to clear, and a city generally wants proof — a camera recording with the defect located — that the problem is on its side before it acts.
City repair programs worth knowing about
23 of the 52 cities in the table run some kind of help: city repair of the street section, a rebate or reimbursement, a no-interest loan, or a city-endorsed protection plan. The program column summarises each; the city's page has the terms, which change. Most require a licensed contractor, a permit, and camera footage before work starts — not a receipt after.
Lateral insurance and protection plans
A standard homeowners policy usually doesn't pay to repair a worn-out lateral. The options are a service line coverage add-on on your homeowners policy, a utility-branded protection plan, or a city program. Whichever you look at, check that it covers the section your city makes you responsible for — a plan that stops at the property line is little use in a city where you own the line to the middle of the street.
What a sewer lateral is, in more detail
The upper and lower lateral, why the street section costs so much more to repair, point-of-sale inspection ordinances, and proving where a fault is are covered on our general guide.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is responsible for the sewer line from the house to the street?
- In most US cities, the homeowner — often all the way to and including the connection at the main under the street. Some cities, such as San Antonio and Austin, take over at the property line, Houston at the street-side cleanout and Portland at the curb. Search the table for your city.
- Is the city responsible for the sewer line under the street?
- It depends on the city. Many — New York, Los Angeles, Boston and Seattle among them — hold the owner responsible under the street. Others repair that section themselves, or do so for houses: Chicago for homes of up to four units and Phoenix for single-family and duplex homes.
- Who pays if the sewer line breaks under the sidewalk?
- Whoever is responsible for that section in your city. In owner-to-the-main cities, the owner pays, including the right-of-way permit and pavement restoration. Where the city owns the right-of-way section, it usually needs camera footage showing the break is on its side.
- Do any cities pay for sewer lateral repairs?
- Some do. Los Angeles offers a repair rebate of up to $2,500, Boston reimburses part of a lateral repair, Chicago repairs breaks under the public way for small residential buildings, and Philadelphia offers a zero-interest repair loan. Terms and eligibility vary and change.
- What does a sewer lateral repair cost if it's my responsibility?
- It depends on the length, depth, method and what's on top — and work in the street adds permits, traffic control and pavement repair. Our replacement cost calculator gives a planning range with the street section included.
Keep going
Your sewer lateralWhat it is, the upper and lower lateral, and proving where the fault is.Does homeowners insurance cover sewer lines?Damage vs repair, and the add-ons that pay.Sewer line protection plansCheck the plan covers the section that's yours.Replacement cost calculatorInclude the street section in an estimate.