# Can I File a Sewer Backup Claim With San Diego? | Who Pays the Repair?

> San Diego lists sewer main back-ups and flooding among claims filed with Risk Management; most claims are due within six months of the incident.

**Who pays:** depends

San Diego accepts claims for sewer main back-ups and flooding; most must be presented within six months of the incident.

**Boundary:** The City of San Diego lists sewer main back-ups and flooding among claims that can be filed against the City. Claims go to the Risk Management Department, and most must be presented no later than six months after the incident. State law gives one year for claims other than personal property or injury.

**Exceptions:** Government Code 911.2 sets one year for a claim other than death, injury to person, or injury to personal property or growing crops.

## Sources
- [Public Liability](https://www.sandiego.gov/riskmanagement/services/liability) — "Water main breaks and flooding. Sewer main back-ups and flooding." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Public Liability](https://www.sandiego.gov/riskmanagement/services/liability) — "Most claims must be presented to the Risk Management Department no later than six months after the date of the incident or event." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Storm Preparedness](https://www.sandiego.gov/storm-preparedness) — "Contact your property insurance carrier to report damages to your property and learn how to file a claim with the City for flood damage." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [California Government Code section 911.2](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV&sectionNum=911.2) — "A claim relating to any other cause of action shall be presented as provided in Article 2 (commencing with Section 915) not later than one year after the accrual of the cause of action." (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [Public Liability](https://www.sandiego.gov/riskmanagement/services/liability) — "must be made in writing and be completed in accordance with California Government Code sections 900-915.4" (accessed 2026-10-01)

_Last verified 2026-10-01. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/san-diego-ca-city-claim-sewer-backup-flooding/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._