# NYC Sewer Backup: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> NYC DEP holds property owners responsible for their sewer lateral; file a claim within 90 days if the City main caused the backup.

**Who pays:** depends

NYC DEP puts the property owner on the hook for the private sewer service line up to the City's main; if DEP confirms the backup originated in the City main, file a Water Damage Claim Form within 90 days.

**Boundary:** NYC DEP makes the property owner responsible for the private sewer service line up to the City's main; if DEP's inspection confirms the backup originated in the City main itself, you can file a Water Damage Claim Form with the Comptroller within 90 days.

**Exceptions:** If the backup originated in your own private lateral line, the City is not liable; Missing the 90-day filing window bars the claim

## Sources
- [Sewer Backup](https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/sewer-backup.page) — "Property owners own and are responsible for maintaining and repairing their sewer service line, which connects their property to the City's sewer main in the street." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [Sewer Backup](https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/water/sewer-backup.page) — "If you believe the City was at fault for damages incurred during a sewer backup, please contact the New York City Comptroller's Office within 90 days to file a claim." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-25. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/nyc-sewer-backup-who-pays/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._