City proposes sewer-lateral code updates to clarify homeowner vs city responsibilities

Albert Carbon, Utility Services Director, briefed the commission on proposed edits to Chapter 28 of the city code to clarify ownership and maintenance responsibilities for sewer laterals. The staff presentation emphasized three defined elements: the house sewer (owner responsibility on private property), the service lateral (city responsibility for the lateral from the main to the property-line termination), and the city main.

Carbon said the amendments add or modify definitions, clarify when homeowners must pay to relocate laterals or install additional laterals (for conversions to multi-unit properties), and establish a process for cost estimates and variable tapping charges depending on street depth and location. He explained this approach uses the property line to separate private and public responsibilities and reduces prior ambiguity about whether homeowners or the city were accountable for work under the right-of-way.

Commissioners asked about ongoing basin-level rehabilitation efforts and the city’s consent order with FDEP; staff said a system evaluation is near completion and that targeted lining projects and consent-order negotiations were underway with planned spring updates back to the commission. Staff said code changes would be drafted and return for first reading in 2026.