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

> San Jose owners pay for the upper sewer lateral, but Public Works repairs the lower lateral (property line to main) free after the owner files a repair-order form.

**Who pays:** shared

San Jose owners legally own the whole lateral to the main, but the city repairs the lower segment for free once you show the defect is not on your side.

**Boundary:** The owner owns the lateral, but for the stretch running from the property line to the main in the city street, San Jose Public Works repairs it without charge to the owner.

**Property owner:** The owner is responsible for the lateral on private property, between the property line and the house.

**City / agency:** San Jose Municipal Code: "the department of public works shall repair the said lateral, without charge to the owner ... on that portion of the lateral owned by the property owner in the manner which city deems appropriate." (for the repair of a lateral "running from his property line to the sewer main in the city street")

**Exceptions:** Public Works repairs the property-line-to-main segment without charge to the owner

## Sources
- [15.16.420 - Repair of sewer laterals.](https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15PUUT_CH15.16SECOSTDR) — "for the repair of a sewer lateral running from his property line to the sewer main in the city street." (accessed 2026-09-27)
- [15.16.420 - Repair of sewer laterals.](https://library.municode.com/ca/san_jose/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15PUUT_CH15.16SECOSTDR) — "the department of public works shall repair the said lateral, without charge to the owner ... on that portion of the lateral owned by the property owner in the manner which city deems appropriate." (accessed 2026-09-27)

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