Forsyth County, North Carolina septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Forsyth County Department of Public Health — Environmental Health, Wastewater/Septic Systems

Forsyth County Environmental Health: 336-703-3225; 799 North Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

North Carolina state and local framework

The N.C. Division of Public Health On-Site Water Protection Branch provides statewide regulatory oversight and technical guidance for subsurface onsite wastewater systems, while local health departments carry out county permitting and inspection functions. NCDHHS directs homeowners to the local health department for septic questions, permits, and inspections.

County performs soil/site evaluations and installation inspections

Forsyth County Environmental Health enforces onsite sewage-disposal laws and rules, performs soil and site evaluations for property not served by public sewer, and inspects septic-system installations.

Repair authorization is required for malfunctioning systems

Forsyth County instructs owners with a malfunctioning septic system to submit an Application for Authorization for Wastewater System Construction Repair. An Environmental Health Specialist then visits the property to assess the problem and prepare the repair approval.

County distinguishes repair work from routine pumping

Forsyth states that preventive septic-tank pumping does not require a health-department permit, while repair work follows the county authorization process. The county also states that septic-system contractors performing repair work must be registered with the Forsyth County Department of Public Health.

Official sources

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