Types of Costs
There are three types of costs related to the connection of your home or business to the City of Portland sewer system.
- Sewer System Development Charge
- Sewer and Stormwater System User Charges
- Private Plumbing Costs
Charges are subject to change each year on July 1. Current rates are for the fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
Sewer System Development Charges
Any property connecting to the public sewer for the first time must pay a system development charge. This charge covers costs associated with maintaining, operating, and building major sewer and stormwater facilities and treatment plants. The total charge varies based on the number of drainage fixture units. Multi-family and commercial properties pay more depending on how many units they have or their demands on the sewer system. Current charges can be found on the System Development Charges webpage.
The system development charges must be paid or financed before your contractor can get a sewer connection permit. You do not have to pay these charges until you are ready to connect.
The city offers all property owners loans of up to 20 years to finance connection charges. There is no pre-qualification based on income or credit history. No down payment is required, and there is no penalty for early payoff. A city lien on the property secures the loan.
For more information on financing options, visit the Financial Assistance for Sewer Connection and Conversion page.
Private Plumbing Costs
Private plumbing costs are costs associated with hiring a contractor to connect your property to the City's sewer or resolve nonconforming sewer issues. Costs will vary since the City does not conduct this work or regulate the costs. They typically range from $5,000 to $12,000. City permits for review and inspection of the sewer are required.
Environmental Services sponsors two loan programs to help owners finance private plumbing costs. Loans are based on the lowest and most reasonable of three bids from qualified sewer contractors. The Private Plumbing Loan requires repayment through monthly installment payments over an elected term of 5 or 10 years. The Safety Net Private Plumbing loan is a qualified loan with an interest rate of 1.5% and a deferred payment option based on age.
For more information on financing options, visit the Financial Assistance for Sewer Connection and Conversion page.
City Permit Fees
The Bureau of Development Services issues permits for plumbing and sewer work on private property, and Environmental Services issues permits for sewer work in the public right-of-way. Development Services' plumbing fees are listed on the Residential or Commercial plumbing permit application, and Environmental Services' sewer lateral fees are listed on the Guide to UR and UC Permits page.
Sewer and Stormwater System User Charges
Properties that have new connections to the public sewer will have sewer and stormwater system user charges added to their water utility bill. The charges are billed quarterly, but monthly billing is available upon request. These fees pay the cost of collecting and treating wastewater, maintaining the sewer system, and treating and managing stormwater runoff.
Sewer user charges are based on water usage. Commercial and industrial users can have their sewer user charged based on discharge meter reads by applying to the Submeter Program.
Customers should receive a sewer bill within three months of connection. Charges and rates are calculated differently for multi-family, commercial, and properties within drainage districts.
For more information about rates and charges, visit the Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Rates and Charges page.