Sewer Line Rules

State guide

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is more mixed than Nebraska or Nevada on who handles the right-of-way portion of a sewer lateral. Concord says the city maintains the lateral within city right-of-way, while Nashua and Hampton generally make the owner responsible for the whole building sewer, with limited city help or reimbursement pathways for some right-of-way failures.

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
Who usually owns the sewer lateral
It varies by municipality: Concord maintains the lateral in the right-of-way, while Nashua and Hampton generally place the entire building sewer/lateral on the owner, subject to limited right-of-way assistance policies.
State agency
Municipal public works or sewer utility, with New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services rules governing applicable sewer design and connection permitting.
Permits for repair or replacement
State law requires municipal permission to dig into a city street to enter or repair a common sewer, and Hampton says sewer connection/disconnection and right-of-way excavation permits are required.
Inspection at sale
New Hampshire RSA 477:4-c requires a seller, before the purchase-and-sale contract, to disclose information about the property’s sewage disposal system and state in writing if the information is unknown.
Assistance programs
Nashua may assist certain one- and two-family owners with right-of-way structural failures, and Hampton may reimburse full or partial fees if a town right-of-way integrity issue is proven by video inspection.

Official resources in New Hampshire

New Hampshire RSA 149-I (Sewers)

This state sewer chapter says city main drains and common sewers are city property and prohibits digging into a city street to enter or repair a common sewer without municipal permission.

NHDES Env-Wq 700

These NHDES rules apply to persons designing or constructing new or modified sewerage facilities and require sewer connection permit applications for proposed sewers.

City of Concord - Sanitary Sewer Collection

Concord states that its sewer crew maintains the sewer lateral within the city right-of-way, while the property owner maintains the remainder to the building.

City of Nashua - Sewer Problems / Residential vs. Commercial

Nashua explains owner responsibility for the building sewer and separately describes limited city assistance for certain right-of-way failures for one- and two-family homes.

Town of Hampton - Sewer & Drain Division / Lateral Policy

Hampton requires sewer and excavation permits and publishes a lateral policy that allows possible reimbursement if a right-of-way integrity problem is documented by video.

Key facts for New Hampshire

City sewer lateral rules and programs in New Hampshire

CitycityphoneDetails
City of Concord General Services (Public Works)
Merrimack		Concord603-228-2737Concord’s sewer crew handles city sewer issues and maintains the lateral within the city right-of-way.
Town of Hampton Sewer & Drain Division
Rockingham		Hampton603-926-3202Handles sewer/drain emergencies, sewer connections, and right-of-way excavation issues during office hours.
Hampton Police Department dispatch for after-hours sewer emergencies
Rockingham		HamptonNot published*Hampton’s lateral policy says after-hours sewer-emergency calls should go here for DPW dispatch.
City of Nashua Wastewater Department
Hillsborough		Nashua603-589-3560Call to report a sewer backup or other wastewater collection-system problem.
City of Nashua Engineering Department
Hillsborough		Nashua603-589-3120Engineering handles sewer permits, street opening permits, and approved drainlayer information.
New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Merrimack		ConcordNot published*Concord’s official sewer page directs residents to NHDES to report illegal substances dumped into drains or catch basins.

* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.

What to do next

  1. Ask your municipality where its responsibility line is before authorizing excavation; New Hampshire practices differ by city and town.
  2. If the problem may be in the street or right-of-way, contact the sewer/public works office first and ask whether a video inspection is required for city review.
  3. Before buying property, review the seller’s sewage disposal disclosure required by RSA 477:4-c and ask specifically how the property is served.

Not seeing your city or county?

We list a city only when an official government page publishes its rules. If yours isn't in the table above, it may not publish them online yet. Here's what to use instead, in order:

  1. General Start with the statewide information above. It applies across New Hampshire, but cities and counties can add their own steps, fees or deadlines.
  2. Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from New Hampshire's population center, for comparison only):
  3. Call to confirm Ask the official office. They have the current local rule, fee and form.
    City of Concord - Sanitary Sewer Collection
    Website →
    Phone: (603) 228-2737 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)
    Your city or county office: Local governments →
    Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the New Hampshire page on USA.gov can point you to the right office.
  4. Know the current info? Tell us and include a link to the official page. We check every tip before it goes up.

Helpful guides

Sewer lateral responsibility check →

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