Updated 18 April 2026
When a municipal sewer line is extended to your road, you typically receive a notice with a connection deadline. The cost to connect depends almost entirely on one variable: how far your house is from the sewer main in the street. Short lateral (40-60 ft): $2,000-$8,000. Long lateral (150-200 ft with obstacles): $10,000-$25,000. Plus a tap fee charged by the municipality: $1,500-$5,000 in most areas.
| Line Item | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tap fee / connection fee (city-charged) | $1,500 | $2,500 | $5,000+ |
| Lateral pipe installation (per linear foot) | $50/ft | $100/ft | $200/ft |
| Lateral for typical 40-ft run | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Lateral for 150-ft run (long setback) | $7,500 | $15,000 | $30,000 |
| Septic tank decommissioning | $500 | $900 | $1,500 |
| Permits | $200 | $400 | $700 |
| Driveway/landscape restoration | $500 | $1,500 | $3,000 |
| Total (short lateral, 40 ft) | $4,700 | $9,300 | $18,200 |
| Total (long lateral, 150 ft) | $10,200 | $20,300 | $40,200 |
If connection is required by your sewer district, the decision is made for you. But if it is optional, run the math: estimate the remaining life of your current septic system, the cost of maintaining it for that period, and compare to the one-time connection cost plus ongoing sewer billing.
A septic system with 10+ years of remaining life and $500/yr maintenance cost totals $5,000-$7,000 to run out. A sewer connection costing $8,000 plus $50-$150/month in sewer charges is more expensive in the short term but eliminates all future septic risk, pumping requirements, and potential replacement cost. Most homes add $3,000-$10,000 in resale value after connecting to sewer because buyers value the elimination of septic risk.
Most jurisdictions require the septic tank to be properly decommissioned when you connect to sewer. You cannot simply abandon it. Standard decommissioning: pump out remaining contents ($300-$500), then either collapse the tank in place or fill it with sand, gravel, or concrete ($500-$1,500). The distribution box and drain field pipes are typically capped off. Never leave an active septic tank buried under a property you are selling - it becomes a liability disclosure issue.