Glendale City Code 33-126 to 33-129: sewer tap permit and who digs

Section 33-126(a) is the permit rule: "No unauthorized person shall uncover, make any connections with, take any action to alter, adversely impact or otherwise affect any public sewer or appurtenance thereof without first obtaining a written permit from the City."

Subsection (b) adds that anyone applying for a building connection "shall present a valid plumbing permit issued by the City as a prerequisite for the approval of the requested building connection." Subsection (c) covers any other action that may affect the city sewer: the applicant describes the action and its expected impact, with the city approval fee.

Section 33-127 puts the cost on the owner: building connections are "installed at the property owner's expense" to city building codes, and the city approves the design, number, location, manner of connection and size. Connections go on lateral sewers only, unless the city specifically authorizes otherwise. The city may perform the connection itself for lines of four inches or more, and the owner then pays a connection fee.

Section 33-129 covers the tap itself: "The City shall make all taps from the City's sewer system." The owner makes the cuts to expose the main, provides shoring when required, and furnishes and installs the saddle tee with collar or wyes. A tap charge set by the city is paid before the tap is made.

• Building connection: the connection from a building's sewer to the public sewer.
• Appurtenance: a structure that belongs to the public sewer, such as a manhole.
• Lateral sewer: the smaller sewer line that serves a street or block; building connections go on these unless the city says otherwise.
• Wet tap: a tap made into a sewer that is in service. The section requires the city to make it.

Owners, developers and contractors connecting a building to a Glendale public sewer, and anyone opening the ground near a public sewer. It does not cover private lines on the owner's lot, which follow the plumbing permit rules, or the repair of an existing line, which is covered by Sec. 33-217.

A new restaurant pad with a sewer in the street. The owner's contractor has the plumbing permit, gets the written city permit, digs to expose the main and supplies the saddle tee. The city crew makes the tap after the charge is paid.

A home addition with a new accessory dwelling unit. The city's ADU sheet says a separate water meter needs a new water tap to the city main in the street or right-of-way, and that work in the right-of-way requires additional permits and a specially licensed contractor. Its June 2026 estimate lists a right-of-way permit at $443.60 and a right-of-way review fee at $35.88. Those numbers come from the ADU estimate, not from a general fee schedule, so confirm the current amounts for your project.

The edge case: the city performs the connection. For lines of four inches or more, the city may make the whole connection if it thinks that is in its best interest. The owner then pays a connection fee instead of doing the work.

1. 1Confirm the plumbing permit is issued. Without it the city will not approve the building connection.
2. 2Ask the Development Services Center (5850 W Glendale Ave, 623-930-2800) which written permit and approval fee apply to your connection.
3. 3Get the connection design, location and size approved by the city.
4. 4Hire a contractor able to work in the right-of-way. Ask the city which license and additional permits your job needs.
5. 5Call Arizona 811 before any excavation.
6. 6Pay the tap charge before the tap date, expose the main with shoring when required, and set the saddle tee.
7. 7Schedule the city crew for the tap and keep the permits and receipts with the project file.

• "My plumber taps the main." In Glendale the city crew makes the tap. The owner prepares the excavation and the fitting.
• "The plumbing permit covers the street." The plumbing permit is a prerequisite, and the sewer permit is separate.
• "The ADU fees are the general fees." The $443.60 and $35.88 figures come from an ADU estimate sheet.
• "Every city works this way." Surprise sends its street-dig permit to the city and Mesa sends it to the City Engineer.

The rules are Glendale City Code Secs. 33-126, 33-127 and 33-129 on Municode. They are short, so read them yourself. The city's answer for your project, not this summary, decides a real dispute.