If the repair is yours to pay
Get more than one quote before you agree to a price, and ask the contractor to confirm where the property line and the public side begin.
Compare licensed plumbers on AngiGet more than one quote before a sewer, water-line, or drain repair.
See what a home warranty covers (Choice)Read the coverage and exclusions before you buy; not every repair qualifies.
Partner link. Who Pays the Repair? may earn a commission if you request a quote or sign up, at no cost to you. It never changes who we say pays.
Default rule and exceptions
Owner maintains the lateral from the house to the point of connection with the public main, including the portion beneath the sidewalk and street.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | City of Fresno: the owner’s lateral runs "from the house up to the point of connection with the public sanitary sewer main. This includes both the portion on private property and the portion located beneath the sidewalk and street up to the point where the lateral connects to the public main." |
| City / public agency | The city owns the main; it offers a Sewer Connection Agreement (fee deferral over up to 15 years) and a Septic Abandonment Loan Program (up to $15,000 over up to 20 years). |
| Exceptions | Sewer Connection Agreement: fee deferral over up to 15 years; Septic Abandonment Loan Program: up to $15,000 over up to 20 years |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 7, 2026.
It is the property owner's responsibility to maintain and repair their own sewer lateral from the house up to the point of connection with the public sanitary sewer main.
Maximum Loan Term: 15 years ... SEPTIC ABANDONMENT LOAN: ... Maximum Loan Amount: $15,000. ... Maximum Loan Term: 20 years
from the house up to the point of connection with the public sanitary sewer main. This includes both the portion on private property and the portion located beneath the sidewalk and street up to the point where the lateral connects to the public main.
City rules rest on state law. Read California's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sewer lateral in Fresno, CA?
The property owner. City of Fresno: the owner’s lateral runs "from the house up to the point of connection with the public sanitary sewer main. This includes both the portion on private property and the portion located beneath the sidewalk and street up to the point where the lateral connects to the public main."
What does the city cover in Fresno, CA?
The city owns the main; it offers a Sewer Connection Agreement (fee deferral over up to 15 years) and a Septic Abandonment Loan Program (up to $15,000 over up to 20 years).
Are there exceptions in Fresno, CA?
Sewer Connection Agreement: fee deferral over up to 15 years; Septic Abandonment Loan Program: up to $15,000 over up to 20 years
Is there any cost help for sewer lateral in Fresno, CA?
Sewer Connection Agreement: fee deferral over up to 15 years; Septic Abandonment Loan Program: up to $15,000 over up to 20 years
What is this based on for Fresno, CA?
This verdict is sourced to City of Fresno Public Utilities: Property Owners & Contractors (owner lateral to main, incl. under street) and 4 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- City of Fresno Public Utilities: Property Owners & Contractors (owner lateral to main, incl. under street)official · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-07
- City of Fresno Public Utilities Departmentofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-07
- Sewer Loan Programsofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- City of Fresno Public Utilities: Property Owners & Contractors (owner lateral to main, incl. under street)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
Spot an error? Challenge this record
Found an out-of-date code section, a wrong verdict, or a better primary source? Tell us. Corrections that check out are applied, with the change shown in history. That is our standing policy.