If the repair is yours to pay
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- Your building
- Your part: the whole lateral, up to the connection with the main
- Connection to the main
- Public sewer main
Drawn from the rule quoted on this page. Exceptions above still apply.
Default rule and exceptions
KC Water makes the customer responsible for the entire private sewer lateral, from where it connects to the sewer main to the building plumbing. The Director may authorize repair of a defective portion in the City right-of-way or easement, but only under certain conditions.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | KC Water: "Customers are responsible for maintenance and repair of the private residential sewer lateral itself from the point of its connection to the sewer main to the building plumbing." |
| City / public agency | KC Water: "Under certain conditions, the Director of KC Water or the director's designee may authorize repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the defective portion of a private residential sewer service line located on or within the City's right-of-way or easement." |
| Exceptions | KC Water may authorize repair of a defective portion in the right-of-way or easement, at the Director's discretion and only under certain conditions |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 27, 2026.
Customers are responsible for maintenance and repair of the private residential sewer lateral itself from the point of its connection to the sewer main to the building plumbing.
Under certain conditions, the Director of KC Water or the director's designee may authorize repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the defective portion of a private residential sewer service line located on or within the City's right-of-way or easement.
City rules rest on state law. Read Missouri's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sewer lateral in Kansas City, MO?
The property owner. KC Water: "Customers are responsible for maintenance and repair of the private residential sewer lateral itself from the point of its connection to the sewer main to the building plumbing."
What does the city cover in Kansas City, MO?
KC Water: "Under certain conditions, the Director of KC Water or the director's designee may authorize repair, rehabilitation, or replacement of the defective portion of a private residential sewer service line located on or within the City's right-of-way or easement."
Are there exceptions in Kansas City, MO?
KC Water may authorize repair of a defective portion in the right-of-way or easement, at the Director's discretion and only under certain conditions
What is this based on for Kansas City, MO?
This verdict is sourced to Repair and Maintenance of Residential Service Laterals. and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Repair and Maintenance of Residential Service Laterals.official-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- Repair and Maintenance of Residential Service Laterals.official-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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