11-16-020 Care of sewers, sewer structures and drains.

   (a)   Definitions. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

   "Building drain", "building sewer" and "public sewer" shall have the meanings ascribed to these terms in Section 18-29-202.

   "Repair" means: (i) to repair or replace an existing sewer at its original location, and (ii) to maintain a sewer free from obstruction.

   (b)   Responsibilities.

      (1)   The city shall be responsible for repairs to the public sewer.

      (2)   The property owner shall be responsible for repairs to the building drain.

      (3)   With regard to residential buildings of more than four units and all non-residential buildings, the property owner shall be responsible for repairs to the building sewer. With regard to residential buildings of four or fewer units:

         (A)   The property owner shall be responsible for repairs to the part of the building sewer located on private property.

         (B)   The department shall be responsible for repairs to the part of the building sewer located on public property, unless: (i) the property owner, intentionally or negligently, failed to maintain the building sewer free from obstruction or otherwise caused the damage necessitating repairs; (ii) the conditions necessitating repairs occurred within three years of a new connection to the public sewer; (iii) the building sewer was reused without the approval required by Sections 18-29-301.3 and 18-29-703.4.1 of this Code; or (iv) the building is vacant, as that term is defined in Section 13-12-125 of this Code, for more than 30 days. If any one or more of exceptions (i) through (iv) apply, the property owner shall be responsible for repairs to all parts of the building sewer.

   (c)   New or relocated sewer connections. The property owner shall be responsible for the cost of installing any new or relocated sewer connection to the public sewer, unless the commissioner confirms that the installation is necessary to avoid utility conflicts or other obstructions in the provision of utility services.

   (d)   Sewer work methods. The commissioner shall by rule establish the method and specifications for piercing and opening sewers or drains, when any connection is made to any sewer or drain within the corporate limits of the city.

(Added Coun. J. 7-29-15, p. 3537, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-19, p. 94952, Art. I, § 6)