Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic)

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The proper disposal of solid, liquid and sewage wastes is crucial to prevent contamination to the land and the groundwater below. The use of sewers and municipal sewage treatment plants is limited to areas where infrastructure exists. On-site sewage disposal is the only viable alternative in areas not serviced by municipal sewers. Oakland County has over 80,000 onsite sewage disposal systems on residential and commercial properties.

The Environmental Health Services Unit protects land resources by offering the following services:

  • Issues permits and conducts construction and final inspections for the installation of residential and non residential on-site sewage disposal systems.
  • Reviews and conducts site evaluations for all of Oakland County's proposed subdivisions and site-condo projects in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
  • Assists in the licensing of septic cleaning trucks by inspecting and make recommendations to EGLE.

Applying for a Septic Permit

The link to submit an online application for a septic permit is below. Please note the following information regarding online permit applications.

First time users must register for an account on our Citizen Access Portal in order to apply for permits, apply for or renew a septic installer license, pay fees, print permits, and print receipts.

The following types of septic permit applications may be submitted online:

New Residential Onsite Sewage Disposal System

All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to serve residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished or is extensively remodeled is considered New. A New Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system.

Replacement Residential Onsite Sewage Disposal System

All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to replace, alter, or repair an existing onsite sewage disposal system for residential properties where the existing structure will remain intact or if remodeling does not increase the number of bedrooms or sewage flows. A Repair Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application is required for any replacement, alternation, or repair of an existing onsite sewage disposal system.

New Non-Residential Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Commercial)

All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to serve commercial or non-residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished, or extensively remodeled are considered New. A New Onsite Sewage Disposal Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system unless the sewage flows are less than 10,000 gallons per day.

Replacement Non-Residential Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Commercial)

All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to replace, alter, or repair an existing onsite sewage disposal system for commercial or non-residential properties where the existing structure will remain intact or if remodeling does not increase sewage flows. A Repair Onsite Sewage Disposal System permit Application is required for any replacement, alteration, or repair of an exiting onsite sewage disposal system unless sewage flows are greater than 10,000 gallons per day.

Septic Application

A Service Fee will be charged to your account for using this Citizen Access Portal website service. This fee is for the purpose of maintaining and updating the web site and will be displayed prior to checkout.

We encourage the use of Google Chrome for online Environmental Health applications and services. Please allow popups.

An application for a septic permit can also be submitted at one of our offices.

A Community Sewage Disposal System is a system that is used for the treatment and/or disposal of sanitary sewage from multiple residential or non-residential buildings, dwellings, or structures. All applications for community sewage disposal systems must be submitted at the counter at one of our offices.

Additional Info