Sewer Lateral Connection Program

Through the Sewer Lateral Connection Program, the City will aid property owners for qualifying expenses and work associated with the extension or lining of a sewer lateral from the City's main to the property line. The program only applies to new residential infill construction within the City’s limits.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

I. Eligibility

To be eligible for participation, an applicant must have plans to construct a new residential or neighborhood scaled multifamily residential structure within a qualifying zoning district.

Through the Program, the City will:

1. Construct a new sewer lateral within the public right-of-way if no existing present. If an existing, functioning lateral is found and meets Engineering specifications, the City will rehabilitate the lateral through lining.
2. Construct a water service connection within the public right-of-way when sewer work extends into the roadway.
   
   

II. Property Qualifications

Properties must meet the following qualifications:

1. Location: Property must be located in areas zoned under the South Bend Zoning Ordinance as U1 Urban Neighborhood 1, U2 Urban Neighborhood 2, U3 Urban Neighborhood 3 as well as residential uses within UF Urban Flex and NC Neighborhood Center. Please check the Zoning Map to verify that your property qualifies.
2. Building Type: The new infill construction must be for a residential development up to 5 dwelling units. The residential structure can be homeowner occupied or rental.
3. Residential structure valuation: To be approved for funding through this program, projects must meet certain thresholds:
   
   1. For owner-occupied units, the sale price of each unit must fall at or below the Median Sale Price of Houses Sold for the Midwest Census Region (determined by the US Census Bureau and the US Department of Housing & Urban Development).
   2. For rental units the construction cost of each unit must fall at or below the threshold established by the US Census Bureau for a single-family unit.
   3. Pre-approved applicants who fail to meet this threshold after the completion of their project, will be required to reimburse the City for the cost of the new sewer connections.
   4. Ineligible locations: A greenfield site (i.e. land previously undeveloped), is not eligible for participation.

III. Construction Rates

The City will use pre-qualified contractors to complete sewer connections and extensions with previously set rates. If the City’s contractor is not able to complete this work within an agreed upon time frame, the developer’s contractor will be permitted to complete said work while using the same rates listed below. The work would then be reimbursed using these criteria:

1. Sewer work in tree lawn: up to $5,000
2. Sewer work in roadway: up to $20,000
   
   

City Approved Rates (2026)

Equipment	Cost	Unit
Trip Charge for Excavator	$355.00	Job
Excavator	$177.00	Hour
Trip Charge for Other Equipment	$148.00	Job
Rubber Tire Backhoe	$142.00	Hour
Mini Excavator	$142.00	Hour
Air Compressor	$131.00	Job
Combination Cleaner Truck	$355.00	Hour
Compactor (Hand)	$60.00	Job
Dump Truck (20 yd)	$106.00	Hour
F350 Dump Truck or similar / Trailer	$82.00	Hour
Laborer	$81.00	Hour
Saw Cutting	$88.00	Job
Trench Box 6' x 6'	$166.00	Job
Trench Box 8' x 6'	$355.00	Job
Trench Box 10' x 16'	$472.00	Job

Special conditions shall be addressed by the Engineering Department and Sewer Program Inspector.

IV. Contractor Requirements

Developer’s contractor completing work for new sewer lateral will be expected to comply with City approved rates and meet all City permitting requirements prior to work. Qualifying costs for reimbursement include but are not limited to labor and materials for the sewer lateral work from the utility main to the Right-of-Way and property line, pavement restoration, and traffic control. Engineering and permitting costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

For curb and/or sidewalk work, applicants may request reimbursement through the City’s Curb & Sidewalk Reimbursement Program. 

In certain circumstances, existing sewer laterals can be lined as part of this program. To be considered for lining, the existing lateral must be a minimum of 6”, and it must be inspected to verify that it is in a condition suitable for lining. The applicant will be responsible for providing video of the existing lateral for Engineering review. Lateral lining will need to be approved by Engineering prior to approval of the application. Sewer laterals not suitable for lining will be fully replaced.

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM DOES NOT OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR WORK THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. PRE-APPROVAL IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM.

V. Application Process

1. Complete the attached application for the Sewer Program.
   1. Curb and Sidewalk Application should be completed separately. Single family homes are eligible to receive the “Homeowner Occupied Rate”, multi-family units are eligible to receive the “Other Rate” per the program. Applications may roll over to following year if restoration isn’t completed within the calendar year.
   2. A representative from the City’s Engineering office will reach out to you within 10 business days to review your information and ask any clarifying questions about your project.
   3. The City will first verify whether or not there is an existing lateral and confirm that it is in usable condition. (City will confirm after checking record drawings or require a video from the developer.)
   4. If there is an existing lateral that can be reused, it will be lined, repaired, or extended to the right-of-way line as needed.
   5. If there is not an existing lateral, the City will initiate the process to add a new lateral with a pre-approved contractor. Water Service line extensions will be coordinated at this time using the City’s Contractor.
   6. If the City’s contractors are unable to meet the agreed upon timeline, the developer will be allowed to find a licensed and bonded contractor to complete work. Both the developer and contractor will need to bill per the rates listed above to proceed with work. (Please include the Building Permit #).
      1. The work MUST be inspected by a City representative.
      2. The developer may construct only the sewer connection and will be eligible for reimbursement solely for sewer-eligible expenses. The City will not reimburse any developer-performed water connection work.
      3. After the work has been completed and the restoration has been inspected and approved by the City, a final paid invoice and any remaining documentation needs to be sent to the Sewer Program Manager. The City will provide checks for reimbursement of the Sewer Program within 4-6 weeks of receiving all required documents. Curb & Sidewalk Program documentation (if applicable) will need to be submitted once all inspections and restoration have been completed. 
         
         

Questions?

The City of South Bend looks forward to working with you. If you have any questions, contact PWPrograms@southbendin.gov or call 574.235.5996

 

Authorization

I affirm that all the information given in this application is true to the best of my knowledge.