Obtaining a Permit for a Sewage System

An application for a sewage system permit may be obtained from our office or the Public Health website. All pages must be fully completed for the application to be processed. Include any additional information that may be helpful in assessing the property such as landmarks to locate your lot and a copy of a legal survey if available. If you have trouble completing your application, you should consult with your sewage system contractor or the health unit. It may be beneficial for you to engage the services of a designer.

See Guideline for Submission of Application for a Sewage System Permit

• Make arrangements beforehand if you or your contractor wish to meet the area inspector on site. To assist us and avoid the delay of a repeat inspection, complete the following:
• Post the lot marker provided at the front of your property. Mark the corners of your lot, any lot boundaries near the sewage system and stake the building site.
• Establish a test pit with a backhoe or a shovel (augers smear soil) to a depth of 1.5 m or until solid rock, water table, or impervious clay is encountered. Mark the hole with a stake and flag if obscured by trees or vegetation.

•  If your property and proposal is considered suitable, a sewage system permit will be issued. If approval is refused, you will be notified of the reasons. Allow 3 weeks for the processing, inspection and issuance of a sewage system permit. If you have any concerns or questions regarding the processing of your application, please contact the health unit office.

• The sewage system permit is for the installation of a sewage system and is not permission to establish a building, mobile home or trailer. Any land use or zoning inquiries should be directed to the municipal clerk or appropriate planning department. The building inspectors will require proof that a sewage system permit has been issued prior to issuing a building permit for a structure utilizing a system.

• It is the responsibility of the contractor, owner, or designer to assess the site conditions and prepare a proposal for review by the health unit.

• It is the responsibility of the owner and contractor to arrange for the area inspector to examine the installed system.
   
• It is the responsibility of the person to whom the building permit is issued to have the permit or a copy posted during the construction or demolition in a conspicuous place on the property.

Typical Arrangement of a septic tank system Metric Measurements