Water Reclamation and Sewer Division

 [Program Overview]  [Rebate Form]  [Plumber Evaluations]  [FAQs]  [Contact]

Program Overview

A sewer lateral is the part of your sewer system that runs from your house to the public sewer main, which is under the street, alley or easement behind your home. Most residents don’t give it much thought until there are backup problems. 

This program is designed to encourage residents to maintain their sewer lateral.  The City will give the property owner a $50 credit on sewer service charges for cleaning and video inspecting his/her sewer lateral.  The proper maintenance of sewer laterals will help prevent sewer overflows – a benefit to everyone!

Applying for a Sewer Rebate

Becoming eligible for a rebate is simple. Just follow these steps:

1. Hire a plumber to clean and video inspect your sewer lateral.

We recommend getting quotes from a few plumbers before making a final decision.  You can review plumber evaluations completed by other Burbank residents here on our website. It is important that the plumber that you choose, cleans and video inspects your sewer lateral all the way to the connection with the public sewer main. 

2. Bring in the plumber’s receipt, the videotape (or DVD), and a completed rebate form to Public Works

You can drop it off at our offices (333 E. Olive Ave., Burbank, 91502) or mail it to us.  You can download a copy of the rebate form here.

3. Public Works will give you a $50 credit on sewer service charges!

Notification Letter

You may have already received a notification letter from Public Works regarding this program.  We are sending out letters to residents when our video inspection of the public sewer main reveals roots coming from a property owner’s sewer lateral.  This letter does not require the recipient to clean and video inspect his/her sewer lateral – it is just a friendly reminder that maintaining your sewer lateral will prevent backups at your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

·         Why is cleaning the sewer lateral my responsibility?

·         How do I find a plumber? Does the City recommend any plumbers?

·         How much should I expect to pay?

·         What if the roots are coming from a tree in the parkway?

·         Am I required to have my sewer lateral cleaned at this time?

·         What if I do not have a cleanout?

·         Do I have to get the sewer lateral video inspected?

·         How do I know my plumber cleaned my line correctly?

·         What if my connection to the sewer is behind my house instead of in the street?

·         What equipment should my plumber use?

·         What do I ask the plumber to do?

·         Can I do the work myself?

·         Can the City do the work for me?

·         Should I get my sewer lateral replaced?

·         Can I have my sewer lateral lined?  How about pipe-bursting?

·         How often should I have my sewer lateral cleaned?

·         Do I need a permit?

·         Is there a number I can call for more information?

 ·         Why is cleaning the sewer lateral my responsibility?

The Burbank Municipal Code Section 25-107 states that each property owner is responsible for their sewer lateral.  This policy allows for each property owner to maintain the pipe that serves their own property while jointly paying for the maintenance of those pipelines that serve the entire community.  See diagram 1.

·         How do I find a plumber? Does the City recommend any plumbers?

A plumber can be found by consulting your local yellow pages or internet listings. The City does not recommend any plumbers.   However, you can review plumber evaluations completed by other Burbank residents by clicking on the link on top labeled Plumber Evaluations.   

·         How much should I expect to pay?

The typical cost for the cleaning and video recording your sewer lateral is between $200 and $600.  This amount depends upon the sewer lateral at your specific property and the type of equipment used by the individual plumber.  It is a good idea to get quotes from a few different plumbers before making a final decision.

·         What if the roots are coming from a tree in the parkway?

Even if the roots infiltrating your sewer lateral are coming from a parkway tree, it is your responsibility to keep your sewer lateral in a proper working condition.  In most cases, tree roots will not affect a sewer lateral unless there is an open joint or a crack in the pipe. In the case where a parkway tree root has crushed or misaligned your sewer lateral, the City will reimburse the property owner for the repair of the portion of the sewer lateral that has been crushed or misaligned, subject to the reimbursement maximums set in the Burbank Fee Schedule.  If you are planning to have your sewer lateral replaced, you can call the Public Works Department at (818) 238-3915 for more information.

·         Am I required to have my sewer lateral cleaned at this time?

Public Works is not requiring you to clean your line immediately.  However, since our video indicates that your sewer lateral is impacted with roots, we highly recommend you have your sewer line cleaned now before a complete blockage occurs.

·         What if I do not have a cleanout?

There are some properties in the City of Burbank that do not currently have a cleanout. Although it is not required, it is recommended that each property have a cleanout. The cost to install a cleanout ranges from $200 to $400.

·         Do I have to get the sewer lateral video inspected?

You must have your sewer lateral video inspected after it is cleaned to be eligible for the $50 rebate.   The video inspection also allows you to verify that your sewer lateral was cleaned thoroughly all the way to the public sewer main.  The video inspection is not required if you choose not to pursue the $50 rebate.

·         How do I know my plumber cleaned my line correctly?

Requiring a video inspection of your sewer lateral will provide assurance that your sewer lateral was adequately cleaned.  You should be able to see the walls of your pipe instead of roots during the post video.

·         What if my connection to the sewer is behind my house instead of in the street?

Those properties that are connected to the public sewer main through an easement are also eligible for this program.  You can contact Public Works if you are unsure of where your lateral connects to the public sewer main. See diagram 2.

·         What equipment should my plumber use?

Typically the best method for cleaning a sewer lateral is the use of a hydro-jet.  Jet-cleaning will generally produce the better results over mechanical cutters, but it can be more costly. 

·         What do I ask the plumber to do?

Ask the plumber to clean and video inspect your cleaned sewer lateral all the way to the connection to the public sewer main.  This will include the 6” diameter portion of the line from the property line to the connection with the public sewer main.  Inform your plumber that you need to have a copy of the videotape (or DVD) at the end of the job.

·         Can I do the work myself?

Yes. It is recommended that you hire a plumber for this work since it can pose safety hazards, but you may rent the equipment necessary and perform the work yourself. You will still need to bring in a videotape (or DVD) of the cleaned sewer line at the completion of the work in order to obtain the $50 rebate.

·         Can the City do the work for me?

No. The City does not have adequate staffing for cleaning of private sewer laterals.

·         Should I get my sewer lateral replaced?

Generally speaking, most sewer laterals impacted by roots do not need to be replaced. A plumber with the proper equipment should be able to clean out the roots. The only time you need to have your sewer lateral replaced is if it is damaged (with cracks, openings, etc.).  If your video inspection reveals this type of damage, it is important to note the location of the damage since the entire pipeline does not need to be replaced.

·         Can I have my sewer lateral lined?  How about pipe-bursting?

Lining of sewer laterals, which is the installation of material on the inside of your existing sewer lateral pipe, is not permitted in the City right-of-way. This type of construction has not proven to be a reliable long-term solution.  Pipe-bursting, on the other hand, is an acceptable lateral replacement construction method.  Pipe-bursting requires the excavation of two pits. A bursting head is pulled through old lateral, breaking it to pieces.  A new seamless plastic pipe is pulled in to replace the old pipe.

·         How often should I have my sewer lateral cleaned?

The frequency of cleaning depends on a number of factors including proximity of the nearest tree, the type of tree, the depth of you sewer line, the quality of sewer lateral construction, etc. It may be as frequently as semi-annually or as rarely as once every ten years.

·         Do I need a permit?

Cleaning and video inspection of your sewer lateral does not require a permit.  However, any replacement of sewer pipeline on your property would require a plumbing permit and any replacement of sewer pipeline outside your property would require a sewer connection permit and an excavation permit.

·         What if I have more questions?

You can e-mail us at SLURP@ci.burbank.ca.us if you have any questions regarding your sewer lateral.