The City is responsible for the public sewer which is usually located under the street but sometimes located under an alley or in an easement on private property. Maintenance of the sewer lateral, the sewer that carries wastewater from buildings to the public sewer is the responsibility of the property owner as described in the City’s Municipal Code. The sewer lateral consists of upper and lower laterals. The upper lateral extends from the building structure to the property line. The segment from the property line to the street sewer is called lower lateral. Property owners are responsible for proper maintenance and operation of upper and lower laterals.

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The City’s Municipal Code requires that the construction, maintenance, and repair of sewer laterals be the responsibility of the property owners. This includes that portion of the lateral, sometimes referred to as the lower lateral, located under the street or public right of way. Property owners are granted permission to connect to the public street sewer with the understanding they are responsible for their lateral sewer and its maintenance. The fact that part of the lateral sewer is located under a public street does not mean that it is of public benefit, nor should the maintenance and repair of the lateral be performed by City forces at the expense of the taxpayers.

In almost all cases, the owner of private property holds the underlying fee to the center of the street. The public street is an easement. The property owner has a legal right to construct and maintain a house connection sewer between private property and the public street sewer, subject to permit provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

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If the work is to be done entirely on your property, yes. A plumber with a C-36 Contractors license and a Los Angeles City business license can do the work. An Engineering Class A, Sewer Contractor Class C-42, or Pipeline Class C-34 license and a Los Angeles City Business License with an insurance policy on file are required to do work within the public right of way (e.g. under the sidewalk, under the parkway or under the street). A permit from the City would be necessary to work within the public right of way. To obtain a permit, contact the Bureau of Engineering, Central District A-Permits/Sewer Permits at (213) 482-7030.

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According to the Plumbing Code the following pipe(s) may be used cast iron, galvanized steel, galvanized wrought iron, lead, copper, brass, Schedule 40 ABS DWV, Schedule 40 PVC DWV, and extra strength vitrified clay. The ABS DWV and PVC DWV are plastic pipe with fused joints that may offer better root protection although it is still to early to tell how well they perform long term.

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Permits for work on your private property are issued by the City's Building and Safety Division at (888) 524-2845 Permits for work within public right of way are issued by the Bureau of Engineering, Central District A-Permits/Sewer Permits at (213) 482-7030.

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The following documents are available for download from the California Contractors State License Board :

1. W hat you should know Before Hiring A Contractor (Pamphlet).
2. What you should know Before Hiring A Contractor (Booklet).
3. 10 Tips to make sure your contractor measures up.

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Contact the Lateral Root Notification Program Coordinator at (323) 342-6221 or email sewer.root@lacity.org

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Call 311 to report a sewer spill or visit the City’s website.

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Call 311 to report a sewer odor or visit the City’s website.

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