Official sources checked August 30, 2026

Macomb County, Michigan septic permits and requirements

Michigan onsite-wastewater framework

Michigan EGLE states that onsite wastewater management is a required local-health-department service under the Michigan Public Health Code. Local health departments carry out ordinary onsite permitting and review while EGLE provides oversight, technical support, and review for certain larger or specialized systems.

Confirm project scope before construction

Local sanitary codes, sewer availability, wastewater flow, commercial use, property additions, replacement work, and alternative or engineered systems can change the approval path. Use the current county instructions and any applicable EGLE review before excavation or installation.

County Environmental Health performs the local septic program

Macomb County Health Department states that Environmental Health evaluates proposed building sites, conducts soil evaluations (perc tests), issues septic-system permits, inspects septic systems, and investigates failing systems or improper sewage disposal.

New and repair/replacement work use county permit applications

The county Environmental Health portal provides separate application paths for new septic permits and repair/replacement septic permits. Soil-evaluation records and additional plan review can be tied to the permit record through the county portal.

Property transfers have a mandatory county evaluation process

Macomb County regulation requires properties served by septic and/or private wells to have the applicable system evaluated before transfer. The evaluation may be completed by county staff or a private evaluator registered with the Health Department, and the completed report must be submitted to the county before closing subject to the regulation’s exemptions and postponement provisions.

Transfer evaluations have specific septic-field procedures

For a septic transfer evaluation, Macomb County instructs sellers to identify the septic tank and field and states that the septic tank must be pumped with the evaluator onsite. The county says evaluations are valid for one year.

Larger or unusual wastewater projects can add state review

Macomb County’s onsite program covers ordinary residential and smaller commercial/industrial onsite systems, while Michigan EGLE provides oversight and technical support for larger-capacity or specialized onsite wastewater projects. Confirm the applicable state/local review path before design work on higher-flow systems.

Official sources

• Michigan EGLE — Onsite Wastewater Management
• Michigan EGLE — Onsite program contacts and direct-oversight counties
• Macomb County — Onsite sewage disposal (septic) systems
• Macomb County — Environmental Health services portal
• Macomb County — Property transfers

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