# Sewer Lateral Repair in Raleigh, NC: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Raleigh the homeowner owns the sewer lateral from the house to the City main; the City maintains the mains in the right-of-way.

**Who pays:** owner

In Raleigh, the homeowner owns the sewer lateral, the pipe from the house to where it connects to the City’s main sewer line; the City owns the mains in the public right-of-way.

**Boundary:** Owner-owned "sewer lateral" runs from the home to the point where it connects to the City’s main sewer line. The City of Raleigh maintains the main sewer lines within the public right-of-way (sidewalks and streets).

**Property owner:** Maintain the sewer lateral from the home to the connection with the City’s main sewer line.

**City / agency:** The City of Raleigh maintains the main sewer lines within the public right-of-way.

## Sources
- [Know Your Pipes: owner owns the sewer lateral](https://raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/news/know-your-pipes) — "You are responsible for the portion of the sewer line that runs from your home to the point where it connects to the City’s main sewer line. This is often referred to as the “sewer lateral” or “main line.”" (accessed 2026-09-11)
- [Know Your Pipes: City maintains the mains](https://raleighnc.gov/water-and-sewer/news/know-your-pipes) — "The City of Raleigh is responsible for maintaining the main sewer lines within the public right-of-way." (accessed 2026-09-11)

_Last verified 2026-09-12. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/raleigh-nc-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._