# Sewer Lateral Repair in Seattle, WA: Who Pays? | Who Pays the Repair?

> In Seattle the homeowner owns the side sewer all the way to the public sewer pipe, verified against Seattle Public Utilities.

**Who pays:** owner

Seattle homeowners own their "side sewer" all the way to where it connects to the public sewer pipe, not just to the property line.

**Boundary:** Owner-owned pipe (Seattle Public Utilities calls it the "side sewer") runs from the building to the point where it connects to the public sewer main. SPU owns only the public sewer pipe.

**Property owner:** Maintain and repair the entire side sewer from the building to its connection with the public sewer pipe.

**City / agency:** Seattle Public Utilities owns and maintains the public sewer pipe.

## Sources
- [Side Sewer Maintenance: you own your side sewer to the public sewer pipe](https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/sewer-and-drainage/side-sewers/maintenance) — "If you own your home or building, you own your side sewer until it connects to the public sewer pipe." (accessed 2026-09-11)
- [Side Sewer Maintenance: definition of "side sewer"](https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/your-services/sewer-and-drainage/side-sewers/maintenance) — "A "side sewer" carries wastewater from a building's sinks, toilets and drains to the public sewer." (accessed 2026-09-11)

_Last verified 2026-09-11. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/seattle-wa-sewer-lateral/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._