If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
Split at the meter stop. Per Portland City Code 21.30.130, the Water Bureau maintains/repairs/replaces from the main through the meter to the meter stop (for connections one inch or smaller); the property owner is responsible from the meter stop to the right-of-way and on the private property.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Responsible for the water pipes from the meter to the house. |
| City / public agency | The Portland Water Bureau maintains, repairs, or replaces the section from the main through the meter to the meter stop. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 13, 2026.
The property owner is responsible for water pipes from the meter to the house.
The property owner is responsible for maintaining, repairing, or replacing the portion from the meter stop to the right-of-way and on the private property.
If the connection is one inch or smaller, the Water Bureau is responsible for maintaining, repairing, or replacing the section from the main through the meter to the meter stop.
City rules rest on state law. Read Oregon's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for water service line in Portland, OR?
The property owner. Responsible for the water pipes from the meter to the house.
What does the city cover in Portland, OR?
The Portland Water Bureau maintains, repairs, or replaces the section from the main through the meter to the meter stop.
What is this based on for Portland, OR?
This verdict is sourced to Water Leaks: owner responsible from the meter to the house and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Water Leaks: owner responsible from the meter to the houseofficial · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-11
- Portland City Code 21.30.130: Service Maintenance Responsibility (property owner)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
- Portland City Code 21.30.130: Service Maintenance Responsibility (Water Bureau)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-13
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