Ingham County, Michigan septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Ingham County Health Department — Environmental Health / On-Site Sewage Disposal Program

Ingham County Health Department Environmental Health, 5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48911; 517-887-4311; septic, vacant-land evaluation, and point-of-sale program questions are routed through Environmental Health.

Michigan onsite-wastewater framework

Michigan EGLE states that onsite wastewater management is a required local-health-department service under the Michigan Public Health Code. EGLE provides oversight and technical support, while local health departments review and approve ordinary residential onsite systems. Larger or specialized systems can involve additional state review.

Confirm sewer availability and project scope first

These county programs apply to onsite sewage disposal. Municipal sewer availability, wastewater flow, commercial use, additions or bedroom increases, alternative treatment, and large-capacity systems can change the required approval path. Confirm current local and state requirements before excavation or construction.

County Environmental Health administers septic permitting

Ingham County Health Department identifies Environmental Health as the contact for new and repair septic systems, abandoned systems, township evaluations, perc/vacant-land evaluations, and its point-of-sale program.

The county has distinct septic permit and plan-review services

Ingham County publishes separate services for a new/repair septic permit, septic-tank-only permit, combined well-and-septic permit, and alternative onsite sewage system plan review. Project scope determines which review is appropriate.

Vacant land can be evaluated before development

The county offers a vacant-land evaluation for residential or commercial lots that includes a soil evaluation, allowing suitability for onsite wastewater to be examined before a construction permit application.

Point-of-sale evaluations are part of the county program

Ingham County maintains a Point of Sale Program with application processing and onsite well/septic evaluation services. Owners and buyers should use the current county point-of-sale requirements when transferring affected property.

Alternative systems receive additional plan review

Ingham County separately lists alternative onsite sewage system plan review, so nonconventional designs should not be treated as routine tank-and-drainfield permits. Confirm design submittal and approval requirements with Environmental Health.

Official sources

SepticScope summarizes public-agency information for planning purposes. The permitting agency's current instructions control if they differ from this guide.