Public Meeting Announcement
Proposed Changes to the City Land Development Code
Chapter 15-11 “Private Laterals”
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
6:30 p.m.
625 East 10th Street, Room 105
The City’s Land Development Code, Chapter 15-11, outlines the requirements of property owners for the proper maintenance of private laterals. It also allows the City to investigate private laterals that need repair and apply enforcement actions if needed.
A private lateral is the wastewater line that connects a structure to the City’s wastewater system. The City does not own, and is not responsible for maintaining private laterals.
The City is proposing code provisions that will allow the City to place a charge on the property owner’s monthly City water utility bill if the private lateral has not been repaired after municipal court action. If the building or residence is a rental, a lien will be placed on the property.
The proposed provisions would not be applied to the property owner unless the private lateral defect has not been repaired after municipal court action.
Austin Water investigates private laterals when there is a wastewater overflow on private property or when there is a problem with the Utility’s wastewater system that could affect the private lateral.  Defects in private laterals such as tree roots or grease clogs can cause wastewater overflows in the Austin Water’s wastewater system.