Public Works FAQs

Q: Can you let me know when the STREET SWEEPER will be by my house so I can move my car?
A:  The City of Molalla has a street sweeping schedule, listed here. From time to time issues arise that cause that schedule to change.  Most of the time it is a last minute decision to vary the schedule, which makes it difficult to notify citizens.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

As a reminder, it is a violation of the Molalla Municipal Code to rake or blow leaves into the street.  Our street sweeper does not have the capacity to handle an increased load that causes.  Please put your leaves in the yard debris cans that are provided by B & B Leasing.

Also obstructions such as basketball hoops, deliveries of gravel or barkdust, inoperable vehicles, trailers not hooked to a vehicle, etc., need to be removed from the streets.

Q:  I have  a sewer backup, what should I do?
A:  First, see if there is a property line cleanout.  The City of Molalla can assist you with this, call 503-829-6855 (after hours emergency 503-793-9043).

Second, look to see if EVERY fixture; sink, faucet, and toilet is backed up. If it is just a few, you should call a plumber to assist in clearing the blockage.

Third, if it’s EVERY FIXTURE you should step outside and see if you have a “cleanout” which will be a 4” round pipe sticking up a few inches above the grass, either near the foundation of your house (a private cleanout), or up by a nearby city street (property line cleanout). If you cannot find one, you should call a plumber to assist in clearing the blockage.

Fourth, if you do find a cleanout at the foundation of your house you can call a plumber to help you clear the blockage and determine if the pipe was just clogged, or whether it has a more significant defect, like a collapse or offset-joint. If it does have a significant defect, ask the plumber to provide you with a CCTV inspection of the pipe – if the problem turns out to be past the property line in the public street, you may be eligible for re-imbursement from the city for the problem.

Finally, if you have a property line cleanout, then that cleanout denotes the separation between what the property owner is responsible for VS what the City of Molalla is responsible for. So if there is no water visible in this property line cleanout (the pipe is clear), then the problem is toward the house and you should call a plumber. If, on the other hand, there is water backed up in the property line cleanout, then you should call the City of Molalla for assistance: 503-829-6855 (after hours emergency, 503-793-9043)

Q: There is a "Belly" in the sewer lateral of a house I'm looking to buy - who is responsible for fixing this?
A:  Right now under the current Municipal Code the responsibility of the Public Utility for the laterals in Molalla is from the mainline under the street to the property line. From that point on, the private homeowner has responsibility.

“Bellys”, like the one you describe in the right of way are not uncommon in Molalla, and for the most part they don’t cause any problems. If for some reason sewer backups were to occur the city would work with the homeowner to handle it.