Do you have a drainage easement on your property that you would like released? Contact the Watershed Protection Department with a request for information before submitting an application. It may save you money.

What to know before applying for a drainage easement release

Before you apply for a drainage easement release, please contact the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) for a courtesy review. We may be able to provide you with information that can help you!

Quick facts about WPD's easement information
  • Requests submitted through the contact button below are for a courtesy review by Watershed Protection only. Official requests for easement releases and/or license agreements are processed by the Transportation and Public Works Department.
  • We can only review easements from an environmental and stormwater standpoint. We cannot speak for any other department with a vested interest in the easement.  
  • Watershed's courtesy reviews of an easement can take 10 to 15 business days for us to complete the necessary research and internal coordination needed to make an informed recommendation.
About easements
  • An easement is a vested interest (property right) in which the city's utility has been granted by a person or entity for a specific limited purpose for the waterline, wastewater, electricity, or many other uses. An easement is on private property and not within the city's public right of way.
  • City of Austin Code Chapter 14-11-Use of Right of Way, Division 2 Release of Public Easement allows a property owner to apply for an easement release. The release may be in full or for a portion of the easement. 
  • Applications for easement release are on the Land Development Engineering webpage.