Austin City Code § 15-11-1 APPLICABILITY.
§ 15-11-1 - APPLICABILITY.
This division applies to property that receives water or wastewater service from the Austin Water Utility.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007.
PRIVATE LATERAL SEWER LINES.
Austin City Code tit. 15, ch. 15-11
in effectAustin City Code § 15-11-2 DEFINITIONS.
§ 15-11-2 - DEFINITIONS.
In this division:
(1) DIRECTOR means the director of the Austin Water Utility or his designee.
(2) PRIVATE LATERAL means the segment of the sanitary sewer system located on private property that connects a residence or business to the City's sanitary sewer system.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-3 OWNER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.
§ 15-11-3 - OWNER MAINTENANCE REQUIRED.
The owner of property containing a private lateral shall maintain the private lateral. Maintenance under this section includes:
(1) clearing obstructions from the private lateral;
(2) repairing a defect in the private lateral that allows the introduction of extraneous flow or debris into the sanitary sewer system;
(3) repairing a defect in the private lateral that allows the discharge of sewage on the property; and
(4) keeping a manhole cover in place or a clean out cap tight and in place.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007.
Austin City Code § 15-11-4 TESTING AND NOTICE OF DEFECTIVE PRIVATE LATERAL.
§ 15-11-4 - TESTING AND NOTICE OF DEFECTIVE PRIVATE LATERAL.
(A) The Director may periodically perform special tests to confirm the integrity of the sanitary sewer system, including smoke testing, dyed water testing, air testing, hydraulic testing, closed circuit television inspection, and other testing and inspection techniques approved by the Director.
(B) The Director may enter private property to inspect or test a private lateral.
(C) The Director shall give the property owner not less than 24 hours written notice before city personnel enter private property to conduct an inspection or test, unless:
(1) city personnel are conducting an investigation of a complaint or responding to a customer request to test or inspect a private lateral; or
(2) sewage is exposed on the property in a manner that creates a potential public health hazard.
(D) The Director may identify defects in a private lateral that allow extraneous flow or debris to enter the private lateral or the discharge of sewage on the property, or a condition that may interfere with the proper operation of the private lateral.
(E) A defect under this section may include:
(1) evidence of pipe or joint deterioration;
(2) root intrusion into a pipe that separates a pipe joint or enlarges an existing crack;
(3) a misaligned pipe segment, sag, or lack of positive gradient;
(4) a lack of a necessary cleanout cap or manhole cover;
(5) a downspout, drain, or other connection that allows storm water or other extraneous water to enter the sanitary sewer system; or
(6) a flaw that allows the discharge of sewage on the property or the introduction of extraneous water into the sanitary sewer system.
(F) Except as provided in Section 15-11-5(B) (Repair or Replacement Required; Standards), if the Director identifies a defective private lateral or a condition that interferes with the proper operation of the private lateral, the Director shall send the property owner written notice of the defect or condition, including a statement that the private lateral must be replaced or repaired, or the condition corrected, not later than the 120th day after the date of the notice.
(G) A property owner may appeal the notice of failure or condition by providing a written statement of appeal and video evidence to the Director within 10 calendar days after the date of the notice of the failure or condition. Within 7 calendar days after the appeal is received, the Director will view the evidence and send a notice of the decision. If the appeal is not granted, the 120-day time frame of the notice of the failure or condition will begin on the date of the Director's notice of decision. If the appeal is granted, the notice of the failure or condition will be rescinded.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-5 REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT REQUIRED; STANDARDS.
§ 15-11-5 - REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT REQUIRED; STANDARDS.
(A) A property owner shall repair or replace a defective private lateral from the property line to the building. The property owner shall pay the appropriate fee and obtain a permit from the City before performing the repair or replacement of a defective private lateral.
(B) If sewage is exposed on the property in a manner that makes it a potential public health hazard, a property owner must:
(1) stop the discharge of sewage immediately;
(2) remediate the site not later than 24 hours after the owner has notice of the exposed sewage; and
(3) complete all necessary repairs or replacement of a private lateral immediately, but not later than the 30th day after the owner has notice of the exposed sewage.
(C) A person who repairs an existing private lateral or installs a new or rehabilitated private lateral shall perform the repair or installation as prescribed by the Water Utility's wastewater service connection standards and the Plumbing Code.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007.
Austin City Code § 15-11-6 POST-REPAIR AND POST-REPLACEMENT INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS.
§ 15-11-6 - POST-REPAIR AND POST-REPLACEMENT INSPECTION AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS.
(A) After a property owner has repaired or replaced a defective private lateral, the Director shall:
(1) inspect the private lateral to determine that it complies with the Water Utility's wastewater service connection standards and the Plumbing Code; and
(2) test the private lateral in a manner approved by the director.
(B) If a private lateral fails the post-repair or post- replacement inspection or test, the property owner shall perform additional repairs as required by the Director to correct the defect.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-7 FINANCING PROGRAM; APPLICATION.
§ 15-11-7 - FINANCING PROGRAM; APPLICATION.
(A) The City may establish a private lateral finance program to assist a property owner in financing the repair or replacement of a defective private lateral.
(B) A property owner may apply for assistance from the program by filing an application with the Director on the form prescribed by the Director.
(C) If a property owner complies with the application requirements, the Director may authorize the owner to obtain financing under the program.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-8 OFFENSE.
§ 15-11-8 - OFFENSE.
(A) A property owner commits an offense if the owner fails to repair or replace a defective private lateral in compliance with the Plumbing Code or to correct a condition interfering with the proper operation of a private lateral on or before the date specified by the Director in the Director's written notice of the defect or as required by Section 15-11-5(B) (Repair or Replacement Required; Standards).
(B) A property owner commits an offense if the owner fails to stop the discharge of sewage and to remediate the site not later than 24 hours after the owner receives notice from the City of exposed sewage on their property.
(C) Each day or part of a day during which non-compliance occurs constitutes a separate offense.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-9 CRIMINAL PENALTY.
§ 15-11-9 - CRIMINAL PENALTY.
A person who violates this chapter commits an offense, punishable under Section 1-1-99 (Offenses; General Penalty) by a fine not to exceed $500.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007.
Austin City Code § 15-11-10 CIVIL PENALTY.
§ 15-11-10 - CIVIL PENALTY.
(A) If a person violates this chapter or fails to take action to comply with this chapter, or federal, state, or local regulations, the city attorney may initiate a suit for:
(1) civil penalties authorized under Texas Local Government Code Section 54.017 (Civil Penalty);
(2) injunctive relief;
(3) recovery of expenses, loss, or damage to City property or equipment; and
(4) other available relief.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007.
Austin City Code § 15-11-11 CITY ACTION TO CORRECT VIOLATION.
§ 15-11-11 - CITY ACTION TO CORRECT VIOLATION.
(A) If the property owner fails or refuses to repair or replace the private lateral, or correct the condition, described in the notice, the City may repair or replace the private lateral or correct the condition. The City may:
(1) contract for the repair, replacement, or correction; and
(2) expend City funds; and
(3) charge the owner for work performed by the City; and
(4) either
(a) assess the actual costs against the property; or
(b) if the property owner is the utility customer, apply a charge to the customer's utility bill.
Source: Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-12 ASSESSMENT AND LIEN.
§ 15-11-12 - ASSESSMENT AND LIEN.
The Director may file a lien statement against the property as provided by Section 342.007 (Assessment of Expenses; Lien) of the Texas Health and Safety Code for work performed and expenses incurred by the city under Section 342.006 (Work or Improvements by Municipality; Notice) of the Texas Health and Safety Code. If the City assesses the actual costs against the property, the property owner, within five years after the date of that assessment, must pay the City the amount that the City paid for the completed work, plus simple interest at an amount of 10 percent a year. If the property owner does not pay the assessment during the five-year period, the City may enforce the lien on the property in the same manner in which it is authorized by law to enforce the lien for a paving or other assessment.
Source: Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-13 CHARGE.
§ 15-11-13 - CHARGE.
The Director may apply a charge to the property owner's utility bill for work performed and expenses incurred by the city under Section 15-11-11 (City Action to Correct Violation). The charge shall be prorated over a five-year period. The provisions of Chapter 15-9 (Utility Service Regulations), Article 9 (Invoice and Payment Requirements), shall apply to this provision.
Source: Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-14 EMERGENCY ABATEMENT.
§ 15-11-14 - EMERGENCY ABATEMENT.
In addition to the corrective action authorized by Section 15-11-11 (City Action to Correct Violation), the Director may take emergency action to abate or eliminate a condition or circumstance that poses an immediate danger to the public health, safety, or welfare.
Source: Ord. 20130321-066.
Austin City Code § 15-11-15 CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.
§ 15-11-15 - CUMULATIVE REMEDIES.
The remedies authorized under this chapter are cumulative unless specifically prohibited by state or federal regulation.
Source: Ord. 20070125-007; Ord. 20130321-066.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT15UTRE_CH15-11PRLASELIFetched: 10/27/2026