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Septic Permit Application and Process

1. Application: Apply for a permit. Click here to download a permit application.

2. Contact: A Health Department representative may contact you to schedule the appointment or follow up with your application. A MISS DIG request will be submitted by our department and authorized before the Sanitarian can make a site visit, unless the site is prepped per instructions below.  The assigned Sanitarian may also contact you prior to the site visit.  

3. Site preparation: If capable, the homeowner should prepare a 4’ deep hole where they would like to see the new drain field. (Usually completed with post hole diggers.) This hole shall be flagged and covered until the evaluation is completed. The homeowner should notify the Health Department when they have the hole dug. Having the hole pre-dug can expedite the permitting process because MISS DIG work may not have to be completed.  

4. Site Evaluation: A sanitarian will evaluate the proposed site to determine if the site is suitable for an on-site septic system based on the requirements of the sanitary code. Some of the specific items that are examined during the evaluation are:

   • Soil type and permeability 

   • Depth to seasonal high water table 

   • Slope 

   • Horizontal separation distance from wells, surface waters, property lines. 

   • Amount of suitable area available 

   • Area hydrogeology 

   • Runoff patterns 

   • Proposed land use 

   • Easements, right-of-ways, & building setbacks 

   • Location of buried utilities and other site improvements 

   • Existing development on adjacent lots 

5. Permit approval: The Sanitarian will issue your permit. It will be sent via email or mail, based on your application information.  

   • New build sites differ in the following ways from general application process: A septic permit is required from the health department prior to obtaining a building permit. Prior to the site visit, a vacant property must be marked/flagged so the Sanitarian can identify the location. Any construction prior to permit issuance is a violation of the sanitary code. A Reserve area for future replacement of the drainfield is required. No variations or deviations are allowed. Any applicable local codes must also be followed (I.e. subdivisions.)

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Septic System Affidavit 

In rare circumstances, an affidavit may be filled out by the contractor to approve construction of the septic system without a final inspection by a Sanitarian.

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Click here for an affidavit form.

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Commercial Sewage Systems 

Commercial systems in quantities of less than 10,000 gallons of sewage per day are regulated by the Environmental Health Division. Commercial systems with a flow of less than 1,000 gallons per day may be approved in accordance with the CMDHD Sanitary Code. Systems that fall between 1,000 and 10,000 gallons per day may be required to submit engineered plans and follow the Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Disposal. 
 
Commercial systems often have to accommodate either a very low flow, such as a small office, or a very high output, such as a large restaurant or apartment complex. Generally, commercial systems have stronger waste than residential septic systems. This often requires special treatment of the sewage.   

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Licensed Septage Haulers 

In cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, Environmental Health staff license and inspect septage hauler land application sites and septage hauler vehicles. Land Application sites must be permitted and all EGLE rules and regulations adhered to. Complaints related to applying septage wastes are investigated. 

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Additional Information: Michigan Septage Haulers Directory (EGLE) 

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Existing System Evaluation 

An evaluation of the septic system and well is required when building permits are needed on a property with an existing septic system or well, or the use of the property is changing from residential to non-residential use. Additionally, some real estate financing institutions may require this evaluation in areas without a designated Time-of-Transfer program.

 

Click here for an existing system evaluation form.

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Vacant Land Evaluation 

Land Use Evaluations are performed on vacant property (usually by a potential buyer) to determine if a parcel of land can be considered for an on-site septic system and well. After an application has been made, a sanitarian will evaluate the proposed site to determine if the conditions on the site meet the requirements of the sanitary code. Some of the specific items that are examined during the evaluation are: 

• Soil type and permeability 

• Depth to seasonal high water table 

• Slope 

• Horizontal separation distance from wells, surface waters, property lines. 

• Amount of suitable area available 

• Area hydrogeology 

• Runoff patterns 

• Proposed land use 

• Easements, right-of-ways, & building setbacks 

• Location of buried utilities and other site improvements 

• New development site verses repair site ​

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Click here for a vacant land evaluation form.