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Who pays for a sewer lateral repair in St. Louis County?

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

Usually you do. The pipe that carries waste from your house to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) main belongs to the homeowner, and neither MSD nor a basic homeowners policy normally pays to fix it. Many cities run programs that cover part of the bill.

What a sewer lateral is

The lateral runs from your foundation through the yard, past the sidewalk, and often under the street to a main that MSD owns. Maplewood's brochure puts it plainly: the pipe from the house to the main is the homeowner's property, and the main belongs to MSD.

Where MSD's responsibility begins

MSD maintains the main sewer. Several cities state outright that MSD does not pay for lateral repairs or for the connection. When a cave-in appears in the street, Ellisville's FAQ explains that MSD investigates to find out whether the failure is in its main or in a private lateral. If the lateral is at fault, the replacement is the homeowner's job.

Does homeowners insurance cover it?

Usually not. University City tells residents that lateral repair costs are not covered by MSD or by basic homeowners insurance. Some insurers sell a service line or sewer backup add-on. Ask your agent what your policy covers before you need it.

City repair programs

Many St. Louis County municipalities collect a small annual fee, often on the property tax bill, and use it to help pay for lateral repairs. The details differ from city to city, but programs commonly share these features:

Limited to residential property with six or fewer dwelling units
A defect confirmed first, often by cabling the line and running a camera
Written bids from licensed contractors, in some cities three bids or a pick from an approved list
Permits and inspections through the city and St. Louis County
No coverage for pipe under the house or under attached structures
A dollar cap or a percentage, such as $2,500 in Clayton and University City, $3,000 in Glendale, or 75% of an invoice in Kirkwood

See what we found for each city.

What programs usually do not do

Guarantee payment. Marlborough's ordinance says disbursements are not guaranteed and depend on available funds.
Remove tree roots. Rock Hill's application says its program does not cover the cost to remove roots.
Fix a problem found during a home sale. Ballwin says its program is not meant to satisfy a sale contingency.

The City of St. Louis is different. Its program covers repairs only to the section under the public right of way. If you live in the city and not the county, start with the city's Street Department.

Common questions

Is the part of the pipe under the street my responsibility?

Generally yes. Cities in St. Louis County describe the lateral as the homeowner's property up to the MSD main, which includes the section under the yard, sidewalk, and street. Some city programs help pay for that section, so check yours.

Does MSD pay for sewer lateral repairs?

No. University City, Kirkwood, and Ellisville all state that MSD does not pay for repairs to a private lateral. MSD owns and maintains the main sewer.

Do I need a licensed contractor?

City program documents refer to plumbers or drain layers licensed in St. Louis County, and repairs need permits and inspections. Ask any contractor for a license number and confirm it before signing.

What if my city has no repair program?

Then the cost is yours. Get several written bids, ask your insurance agent whether a service line or sewer backup endorsement applies, and have a camera inspection done first so every bid covers the same problem.

How do I tell whether the problem is my lateral or the MSD main?

A plumber's camera inspection shows where the defect is. If the main appears to be the problem, report it to MSD. If the defect is in your lateral, the repair is yours.

Sources

Program details come from the city documents above and can change. Confirm current terms with your city before you hire anyone.