The short answer
In Union City, the property owner is responsible for the entire sewer lateral, from the house to where it connects to Union Sanitary District's main sewer line. That includes the stretch under your sidewalk and under the street.
Union Sanitary District (USD) provides sewer service to Union City, Fremont and Newark. The main in the street belongs to USD. The pipe that connects your house to that main belongs to you.
Where your lateral starts and ends
The lateral begins where the house drain leaves the building and runs through your yard, under the sidewalk and under the street to the connection on the main. Along the way it may have a cleanout, a straight access point for clearing and camera work. Many owners have never seen theirs.
Knowing the route matters because every problem along it is yours to fix, from roots in a joint to a crushed section under a driveway. A sewer line repair scope should name each stretch it covers, not just the spot where the blockage showed up.
Who owns and handles each piece
| Piece of the system | Who is responsible | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Drains and pipes inside the house | You | A plumber |
| Lateral from the house to the main, including under the sidewalk and street | You | A plumber, with a USD repair permit before work |
| Cleanout on your property, if you have one | You | A plumber |
| USD main sewer line and manholes | USD | USD, 24 hours, (510) 477-7500 |
| Water service pipe on the street side of the meter | ACWD | ACWD operations, (510) 668-6500 |
Cleanouts are often found just outside the building or just behind the sidewalk. Older homes may not have one.
Four mistakes owners make
Assuming the district fixes the street portion
The part under the street still belongs to the owner up to the main connection.
Assuming a clear main means no problem
If USD finds the main clear, the blockage is probably in your lateral.
Skipping the permit on private property
USD requires a repair permit before any lateral work, even on private property.
Opening a manhole to look
Only USD personnel are authorized to open and inspect those structures.
When sewage backs up, work in this order
Stop using water
Do not flush or run sinks and showers. More water only pushes more sewage into the lowest fixture.
Check for a cleanout
Look just outside the building or just behind the sidewalk. Do not pour chemicals in.
Call USD at (510) 477-7500
The line is answered 24 hours a day. USD inspects the public main at no charge.
Read the result
If the main is clear, the blockage is probably in your lateral and the cost sits with you.
Call a plumber
A camera inspection shows what is wrong, and the permit comes before any repair.
Keeping the next backup from happening
Most lateral backups come from roots, grease and things that should not be flushed. Roots enter at joints and cracks, so an older clay or cast iron lateral is the usual suspect. Grease sticks to pipe walls in the kitchen line and builds until water stops moving.
A camera pass through the lateral shows how much life the pipe has left, and a sewer inspection gives you something to plan around. Keep the cleanout reachable too, since a buried one costs time when you need it most.
What USD and the city require before work starts
USD requires a repair permit before any lateral work, even repairs on private property. Digging in the street or right-of-way also needs a city encroachment permit, which you can ask about at (510) 675-5305. Ask your plumber who is pulling each permit before the crew shows up.
Call 811 at least 2 working days before anyone digs. The call is free and California law requires it. USD also asks that you notify your USD inspector 48 hours before an inspection, so work scheduling should account for both lead times.
Source type: Union Sanitary District repairs page and FAQ, USA North 811
Backup in the middle of the night?
Call the 24/7 line. We can walk you through the USD call and tell you whether it sounds like the lateral or something inside the house.
Questions to ask a contractor before a lateral repair
- Who pulls the USD permit? The permit is required before work begins and should be in hand, not promised.
- Is there camera footage of the whole lateral? Ask to see it and keep a copy, before and after.
- Does the scope include the section under the sidewalk and street? That part is yours, and it often needs the encroachment permit.
- Who calls 811? It should happen at least 2 working days before digging.
- Is the contractor licensed for the job? California requires a license for work valued at one thousand dollars or more, and you can verify at the CSLB.
Sewer lateral questions
You do. The property owner is responsible for the entire sewer from the house to where it connects to USD's main, including the part under the sidewalk and the street.
Call USD at (510) 477-7500, which is answered 24 hours a day. USD checks the public main at no charge. If the main is clear, the blockage is probably in your lateral and a plumber needs to clear and inspect it.
Yes. USD requires a repair permit before any lateral work, even on private property. Digging in the street also needs a city encroachment permit, and 811 must be called at least 2 working days before digging.
No. Only USD personnel are authorized to open and inspect manholes. Call USD and they will check the main.
Yes. USD serves Fremont, Newark and Union City, and the owner is responsible for the lateral up to the main in each. Hayward uses a different utility, so check with them. Our Fremont emergency plumbing page covers local service there.
USD allows it only when the lateral is connected, in good condition, has video submitted and meets current standards. Camera footage is how you prove that, so get a full inspection first.