Public Works Department

Engineering/Environmental Services

Water Reclamation and Sewer Section

SEWER MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY AND

EMERGENCY OVERFLOWS 

The Public Works Department is responsible for the maintenance of the City’s sewer mainline. Property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the sewer lateral that connects the building to the City’s sewer mainline (BMC Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 107). The City will reimburse for damage to sewer lateral lines usually maintained by the property owner if the sewer lateral is crushed or displaced by City-owned trees located in the City-owned parkway (BMC Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 312). The City must inspect this damage prior to the removal of the broken sewer lateral.

A permit must be obtained for any work on the sewer lateral.  A plumbing permit from the Building Division is required for work on private property.  Sewer and excavation permits from the Permits Division are required for work in the City-owned right-of-way.  

Emergency sewer overflows that occur on private property and/or sewer lateral lines maintained by the property owner are the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner should contact a plumber for the necessary repairs.

Any emergency sewer overflows that appear to be on the City’s sewer mainline should be reported immediately to the Public Works Field Services Division at (818) 238-3800 or after hours to the Police Department at (818) 238-3000.