Permitting & Development — Intro
Guide to UR and UC Permits – Lateral Repairs and Connections to Public Sewers
Source: Guide to UR and UC Permits – Lateral Repairs and Connections to Public Sewers ↗
A sewer lateral connects a property to the public sewer main, which is most often located in the street. The property owner is responsible for maintenance of part of the pipe, and the City is responsible for the other part. The City's part is often called the "branch."
Diagram of a Typical Sewer Lateral and Its Maintenance Responsibilities
See Portland City Code Chapter 17.32 ↗ and Administrative Rule ENB-4.17 ↗ for more information on City and property owner maintenance responsibilities of the lateral in a right-of-way or public sewer easement.
When repairing a sewer lateral or installing a new connection, you will need separate permits for the work on private property and for work in the right-of-way. Portland Permitting & Development permits sewer lateral work on private property through plumbing permits (PT Permit) ↗. The Bureau of Environmental Services maintains the public sewer system and issues UR and UC permits for work in the right-of-way or in a public easement.
About UR Permits (lateral repair permit)
A UR Permit ↗ is required when you need to repair a sewer lateral. For the portion of the repair work in the public right-of-way or sewer easement, a UR Permit is required. For the portion of the work on private property, a plumbing permit (PT Permit) ↗ is required.
Lateral Repairs Require a UR Permit for the Work in the Right-of-Way
Other less common situations in which a UR Permit is needed:
- Repairing a sewer lateral that is connected to a public sewer on private property (usually in a public sewer easement).
- A lateral repair connecting to a City branch in a public alley.
- Repairing a nonconforming private sewer line ↗ in the right-of-way.