Side Sewer Assistance Program

The Side Sewer Assistance Program provides income-eligible homeowners with interest free loans to repair their side sewer. If you own your home in Seattle, you own the side sewer. The side sewer is the sewer pipe that carries wastewater from sinks, toilets, and drains to the public sewer in the street.

To participate, you must first complete a loan application. Please review the income chart below to see if you might income qualify.

Unsure how to know if your sewer pipe is broken? Refer to the Troubleshooting Your Sewer Problem guide for information.

• You live in Seattle City Limits.
• You must own and occupy your home. Renters are not eligible.
• You have a broken or collapsed side sewer that requires a repair.
• Income must be at or below the Home Repair Income Guidelines. For more information, please contact HealthyHome@seattle.gov.

Applicants can apply for the Side Sewer Assistance Program by calling or emailing. You will need to provide the following information:

To apply to the program:

• Download the Home Repair Loan application and mail the completed form to:
  Seattle Office of Housing  
  Attn: Weatherization Applications 
  PO Box 94725 
  Seattle, WA, 98124-4725 

All applications must include the "How It Works" document, signed. Please download it by clicking this link. 

All applications must include IRS Forms 4506 and 4506-T. Please download and include these. 

• • IRS Form 4506
  • IRS Form 4506-T
• If you cannot print the application, call us at (206) 684-0244 or email us at HealthyHome@seattle.gov to ask for that a physical copy be mailed to you. In your message, please include your property address, the repairs you are requesting, and your contact information.
• Apply online.
  
  • You will need to create an account to fill out the online application and upload the required documents. If you already have an account with Seattle City Light or Seattle Public Utilities, you can use it to log in and apply.

What to expect after applying:

• Your application will be reviewed and processed by Office of Housing staff.
• Once your application is approved, a Property Rehabilitation Specialist from the Office of Housing will schedule an assessment of your side sewer and help you with bid estimates.
• Once a contractor is chosen, Office of Housing staff will prepare your loan documents. Once the loan documents have been recorded, the contractor can start the repairs. No work can begin until after the loan has been completed and all documents are signed.

Loan Program Exclusions

Our loan program does not provide the following:

1. Fast emergency sewer service.
2. Maintenance service on sewer lines.
3. Clearing or jetting the line.
4. Installing only a liner.
5. Reimbursement towards any repairs prior to loan documents being recorded.

Seattle Public Utilities — Your Side Sewer: Find resources to help you understand, protect, maintain, and if needed, repair your side sewer.

For general questions regarding the Side Sewer Assistance Program, please call us at (206) 684-0244 or email us at HealthyHome@seattle.gov.