Washington County, Minnesota septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Washington County Public Health & Environment — Septic / SSTS Program

Washington County Public Health & Environment — Septic: 651-430-6655; Government Center, 14949 62nd Street North, Stillwater, MN 55082.

Minnesota state and local framework

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency states that counties must adopt SSTS ordinances and administer programs meeting state rules. Cities and townships may also regulate septic systems, and when they do their ordinances must be at least as stringent as the county ordinance. Local programs review plans, approve permits, inspect systems, and may impose requirements stricter than statewide minimums.

County permits are required for new systems, repairs, replacements, and certain building changes

Washington County requires an SSTS permit to install new septic tanks or soil treatment areas, repair or replace an existing system or component, or change the use, expand, or modify the building or facility served by the system.

Installation work must remain available for county inspection

Washington County requires installation inspections and directs applicants to schedule them at least 24 hours in advance. Soil treatment areas, rough-up/scarification work, and specified tanks require inspection before backfilling or before the next construction step described by the county.

Property transfers generally trigger a compliance inspection

Washington County states that a compliance inspection is required before selling or transferring a property with a septic system unless a qualifying inspection was completed within the previous three years or a new system was installed within the previous five years and has a valid certificate of compliance.

Type IV and Type V systems require operating permits

Washington County requires an operating permit for Type IV or Type V systems and publishes separate initial and annual renewal materials for residential and commercial systems.

Standalone abandonment has its own county process

When a septic system is abandoned without a replacement installation, Washington County requires a septic abandonment application, the applicable county fee, the MPCA abandonment reporting form, and documentation of the abandonment. Abandonment performed as part of a permitted replacement is handled within that installation permit.

Official sources

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