# Sewer Lateral in Sacramento, CA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> Sacramento sewer lateral: owner owns the upper lateral (house side), SacSewer owns the lower lateral (main side); a loan program covers up to $15,000 of owner repairs.

**Who pays:** owner

Sacramento splits the pipe: your upper lateral to the house is yours, SacSewer's lower lateral to the main is theirs, and a loan program covers up to $15,000 of your side.

**Boundary:** Split by segment: the owner is responsible for the "upper lateral" on private property; SacSewer owns and manages the "lower lateral" in the public right-of-way or utility easement.

**Property owner:** SacSewer: "Property owners are responsible for the private sewer pipe serving your property, which is called an “upper lateral.” It connects your home to a “lower lateral” owned and managed by SacSewer."

**City / agency:** SacSewer: "The upper lateral is located entirely on your private property, while the lower lateral is located within the public right of way (under the sidewalk and street) or the utility easement (typically along the rear edge of your property)."

## Sources
- [Upper Lateral Loan Program.](https://www.sacsewer.com/upper-lateral-loan-program/) — "Property owners are responsible for the private sewer pipe serving your property, which is called an “upper lateral.” It connects your home to a “lower lateral” owned and managed by SacSewer." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [Upper Lateral Loan Program.](https://www.sacsewer.com/upper-lateral-loan-program/) — "The upper lateral is located entirely on your private property, while the lower lateral is located within the public right of way (under the sidewalk and street) or the utility easement (typically along the rear edge of your property)." (accessed 2026-09-27)

_Last verified 2026-09-27. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/sacramento-ca-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._