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Default rule and exceptions
Sacramento City Code draws the line at the 'point of service', generally the downstream side of the water meter for a metered connection, with the city's duty to operate, maintain and repair public water mains extending only to that point and the operation, maintenance and repair of any private water line beyond it being the customer's sole responsibility.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| City of Sacramento | Operates, maintains, and repairs public water mains only up to the point of service (generally the downstream side of the meter). |
| Property owner/customer | Solely responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of any private water line connected to the point of service. |
| Exceptions | None on record |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 24, 2026.
The city's responsibility to operate, maintain and repair public water mains shall extend only to the point of service. The operation, maintenance and repair of any private water line connected to the point of service shall be the customer's sole responsibility.
"Point of service" means the location where the city's distribution main delivers water to the customer's private water line. For a metered water service connection, the city's point of service generally is located at the downstream side of the meter where it connects to the private water line...
City rules rest on state law. Read California's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for water service line in Sacramento, CA?
Responsibility is shared. Operates, maintains, and repairs public water mains only up to the point of service (generally the downstream side of the meter).
What is this based on for Sacramento, CA?
This verdict is sourced to Sacramento City Code § 13.04.080: No city responsibility beyond point of service: Indemnity and 2 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Sacramento City Code § 13.04.080: No city responsibility beyond point of service: Indemnityregulation · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-24
- Sacramento City Code § 13.04.030: Definitions ("Point of service")regulation · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-24
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