Two pipes, two owners

The public sewer main runs under the street and collects wastewater from many homes. Your lateral is the private pipe that carries wastewater from your house to that main. In general, cities maintain public mains and property owners are responsible for their own laterals, but where exactly that responsibility ends varies by city and sometimes by property.

That boundary matters most when something goes wrong. A blockage in your lateral is usually yours to clear and repair. A blockage in the public main is a city matter. Before paying for work near the street, it is worth confirming with the City of Fullerton which part of the pipe is yours.

Clues about whose problem it is

  • IfOnly your house is backing up and neighbors are fineThenThe problem is more likely in your lateral or house drains.
  • IfSeveral neighbors on the street back up around the same timeThenThe public main may be blocked; report it to the City of Fullerton.
  • IfSewage is surfacing in the street or from a manholeThenReport it to the city right away and keep people away from it.
  • IfCamera footage shows the defect at or near the connection to the mainThenAsk the city how responsibility is handled at that connection before work starts.

How to confirm responsibility before a repair

  1. Get the footage and distances.Know how far from the cleanout the problem is and roughly where that falls on your property.
  2. Check your property line.A survey, plot map or the city can help you see where your lot ends relative to the street.
  3. Contact the City of Fullerton.Ask where homeowner responsibility for the lateral ends and whether the city needs to be involved for work near the street.
  4. Ask about work in the public right-of-way.Digging in a sidewalk, parkway or street usually involves extra permits or rules. Ask what applies.
  5. Put it in the estimate.Make sure the contractor's written scope matches what the city told you about responsibility and permits.

Useful terms

Lateral
The private sewer pipe from a building to the public main.
Public main
The larger shared sewer pipe, usually under the street, that the city maintains.
Right-of-way
Public land along a street, often including the sidewalk and parkway strip.
Wye or tap
The fitting where a lateral joins the main.

Questions to ask the city

  1. Where does homeowner responsibility for the sewer lateral end on my type of property?
  2. Who should I call if I think the public main is blocked?
  3. Is a permit needed for lateral work near or in the street or sidewalk?
  4. How are root problems from parkway trees handled?

Common questions

If the city main is blocked, who cleans up my house?

That depends on the circumstances and on your insurance. Report the problem to the city, document the damage and talk to your insurer.

Does the city inspect my lateral?

Inspection rules vary. Ask the City of Fullerton whether any inspection applies to your situation, such as during a repair or permit.

Can I hire a plumber to work on the public main?

Generally, work on the public main is handled by or coordinated with the city. Contact the city rather than hiring someone to work on it.

General information for Fullerton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.