In the world of infrastructure, trees and/or their roots at times conflict with other structures. Sewer laterals, the branch of the City’s sewer system that serves a particular property, are at times impacted.

It is the opinion of the City Attorney and City policy that the responsibility for the construction, maintenance, and repair of house connection sewer laterals lies with the property owner. The City Attorney states, in part, “…that this rule is not altered by the fact (if it is a fact) that roots of trees growing in the street caused clogging of the sewer line.”  The privilege is granted to the house owner to connect his house with the main publicly owned street sewer, and the duty to keep clean the privately owned sewer rests upon the owner of such house connecting sewer, not upon the City. House connection sewer laterals are not of general benefit since they serve and can be used legally to serve only a single lot.  The fact that the house connection sewer is in a public street does not mean that it is of public benefit and that the maintenance and repair should be performed by City forces at the expense of the taxpayers.

In almost all cases, the owner of private property holds the underlying fee to the center of the street. The public street is an easement.  The property owner has a legal right to construct and maintain a house connection sewer between his private property and the public street sewer, subject to permit provisions of the Los Angeles Municipal Code.

Tree roots do not enter sewer lines unless there is a break that leaks moisture and provides an opening encouraging root penetration.  Root invasion can generally be remedied by periodic rotary root removal.  Extensive damage may require excavation and installation of a new sewer line.

The Urban Forestry Division will assist the property owner in acquiring the necessary permits when the sewer problem involves a street tree.

This information sheet is provided as a public service.  Hopefully, it answers the important questions regarding sewer laterals.  If you have any further questions, please refer to the Urban Forestry Division Inspector or contact the Division at (213) 847-3077.  For the hearing-impaired, the TDD number is (213) 473-4660.  All information sheets may be obtained at the Urban Forestry Division office at 1149 S. Broadway, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA  90015 or online at www.lacity.org/BOSS/index.htm.

GG/RL:jw
S:UFD Website\ Guidelines And Information\Responsibility For Maintenance Of Residential Sewer Lines
Rev. 8/2007

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