If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
Houston Public Works maintains the City's storm sewer system and its roadside and major ditches. Per City Code of Ordinance, the abutting property owner must keep ditches free of debris, and replacing a new, damaged or undersized culvert under a driveway is the property owner's responsibility.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Houston Public Works, Storm Sewer Maintenance Section | Operates and maintains the City's storm sewer system (closed system). |
| Houston Public Works, Ditch Maintenance Section | Operates and maintains the City's ditches (roadside and major/off-road) and detention systems (open system). |
| Abutting property owner | Maintains ditches free of debris so water can flow, and replaces new, damaged or undersized driveway culverts. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 30, 2026.
The Storm Sewer Maintenance Section (closed system) handles the operation and maintenance of the City's storm sewer system
The Ditch Maintenance Section (open system) handles the operation and maintenance of the City's ditches (roadside and major/off-road) and detention systems
Per City Code of Ordinance, it is the abutting property owner’s responsibility to maintain ditches free of debris so water can flow with minimal obstructions
new culverts, or culverts that are damaged or undersized below residential or commercial driveways, are the property owner's responsibility for replacement.
City rules rest on state law. Read Texas's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for storm drains: ditches and culverts in Houston, TX?
Responsibility is shared. Operates and maintains the City's storm sewer system (closed system).
What is this based on for Houston, TX?
This verdict is sourced to Stormwater Maintenance and 4 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Stormwater Maintenanceofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-30
- Stormwater Maintenanceofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-30
- Stormwater Maintenanceofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-30
- Stormwater Maintenanceofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-30
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Found an out-of-date code section, a wrong verdict, or a better primary source?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.