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Broken Sewer and Drain Lines- Guide to Repairs, Permits and Inspections

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Source: Broken Sewer and Drain Lines- Guide to Repairs, Permits and Inspections ↗ Last modified: Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:01:56 GMT

Your home’s sewer and drain lines have probably been in place since the house was built. When a drain line breaks, the leaking sewage, whether visible or hidden beneath your yard harbors disease, may contain hazardous chemicals and provides a thoroughfare for rats. If you have a leak in your sewer line you are required to have it repaired.

City bureaus that may be involved in your sewer repair project

  • Development Services: Issues permits for and inspects repairs between the house and the property line.
  • Environmental Services: Assists in finding the location of the sewer line from the public right-of-way to private property, authorizes all sewer connection work and party sewer repairs and answers questions about shared sewer line issues.
  • Maintenance: Performs dye tests, and is involved in sewer repairs needed from the curb into the street.
  • Transportation: Issues permits and inspects repairs in the right-of-way, between the property line and the curb.

Sewer repair permits

Repair

Requirement

Sewer repair between the house and property line (usually at sidewalk)

Plumbing permit and inspection from Development Services

Sewer repair in right-of-way, between property line and curb (including sidewalk and parking strip)

Right-of-way sewer repair permit (UR permit ↗) and inspection from Transportation 

Sewer connections on a brand new sewer line

Sewer connection permit (UC permit ↗) and inspection from Transportation

Stormwater, combination sewers, and downspouts

Sewer line leaks and the related rat problems are more common in older parts of the City. These areas often have combination sewers that collect both sewage and stormwater. Stormwater can overwhelm the system and release raw sewage into local waterways. Many old rain drain systems no longer function properly due to poorly jointed, collapsed, or broken pipes allowing soil to leak in and cause additional problems.

Downspouts can be redirected to allow stormwater to drain into the yard or connect to an alternative on-site system, rather than into the sewer. Any disconnection of rain drains or installation of an on-site stormwater system must be pre-approved to ensure that you install an appropriate system, and that it does not create a nuisance for you or your neighbor.

You must leave the existing underground rain drain and storm sewer piping system in place for possible future re-connection. Information about disconnecting downspouts ↗ is available online, or check out the Clean River Rewards program ↗.

Common sewer line materials and breaks

Constructed

Sewer Line Material

Before mid-1960

Concrete or tile

After 1975

No hub cast iron or plastic

Newer

PVC 3034 and ABS schedule 40, also PVC schedule 40 but not common in Portland

Breaks commonly occur at the:

  • connection to the branch lateral at the curb line
  • transition from cast iron at the house to clay or cement pipe, about five feet from the dwelling
  • p-trap at the transition between the stormwater system and sanitary system