| Repair | Who pays | The rule |
|---|---|---|
| Sewer Lateral | Depends | Indianapolis: Citizens Energy Group's page says the owner maintains the sewer lateral to the main, but its regulator-approved terms split it at the property line. |
| Sidewalk Repair | City | Indianapolis code puts sidewalk repair on the Department of Public Works, as far as practicable; private sidewalk work needs a permit. |
| Tree Roots | Property owner | In Indianapolis the abutting owner repairs the adjacent sidewalk on notice, with no tree-root carve-out, so root damage is the owner’s too. |
| Water Service Line | Shared | Citizens Energy Group: owners own the full line; leak cost splits at the right-of-way. Sources and quotes inside. |
Sewer Lateral
Indianapolis: Citizens Energy Group's web page says the owner maintains the lateral from the house to the main, but its regulator-approved Terms and Conditions (effective 2016, still posted) say the utility maintains the portion from the main to the property or easement line and the customer maintains the rest. Ask Citizens which applies to your address before paying for work under the street.
A property owner is responsible for maintaining the sanitary sewer lateral from the home to the connection point at the main.
Source: Citizens Energy Group: Connecting a Sewer Service Line (owner owns lateral to the main)
Sidewalk Repair
Indianapolis: the City Code puts repair and maintenance of sidewalks on the Department of Public Works, as far as its facilities make practicable; it has no duty to fix every slight crack unless ordered or the need is evident.
the department of public works shall repair and maintain the streets, sidewalks and public places of the city in a reasonably safe condition so far as the extent thereof and the facilities available therefor render practicable
Source: Sec. 645-605, Construction and Repair (Indianapolis Code)
Tree Roots
Indianapolis: the abutting owner repairs the adjacent sidewalk on notice, with no tree-root carve-out, so root damage is the owner’s too.
Sec. 17. (a) The works board may require the owners of abutting property to construct or repair the owners' own sidewalks or curbs... (c) A property owner has thirty (30) days from the date of the notice to construct the sidewalks or curbs or make the repairs as required by the notice. (d) If a property owner fails...
Water Service Line
Citizens Energy Group says Indianapolis customers own the full water service line, but Citizens pays for leaks within the right-of-way while the owner pays for leaks on their own property.
Owns the full length of the water service line, with shared maintenance responsibility as listed below: All leaks outside the right-of-way (on the customer's property) shall be repaired by a licensed and bonded plumber at the customer's expense. All leaks in the right-of-way (not on the customer's property) shall...
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