Official sources checked August 29, 2026

Pierce County, North Dakota septic permits and requirements

Local permit is required before installation work

North Dakota DEQ states that onsite wastewater installers must obtain a permit from the applicable local public health unit before beginning work. State law defines a permit as authorization from a local public health unit or other political subdivision for a specific site. In this county, LRDHU is the local Environmental Health program administering onsite sewage treatment system permits.

New systems and repairs are both regulated

LRDHU states that it licenses and permits all new onsite sewage treatment systems and repairs to existing systems, including septic tanks, drain fields, cesspools, and holding tanks. Do not assume a repair is exempt from local review.

Application, legal description, site plan, and payment

LRDHU’s current septic application procedure requires a completed permit application with the property legal description, owner contact information, a drawing of the current site and proposed system, the owner or authorized property representative’s signature, and payment. The contractor or installer is not the person who signs as the owner representative under that procedure.

Preliminary permit and field verification

After receiving the application and payment, LRDHU may issue a preliminary permit based on the submitted information. Once onsite, the installer must verify required setbacks and follow the approved permit. LRDHU’s published procedure specifically calls for a 100-foot setback from high-water marks of sloughs, lakes, rivers, creeks, and similar waters; proposed changes must be reviewed and approved by the inspector.

Installation documentation and as-built record

LRDHU’s procedure calls for installation photographs when requested and an as-built construction document after installation. The as-built is to be submitted within 30 days of installation and becomes part of the permit file. Existing permit copies can be requested from LRDHU.

Installer licensing now has a state component

North Dakota DEQ oversees licensing of onsite wastewater treatment system installers under NDCC Chapter 23.1-07.1. DEQ states that installers must hold the required state license and also secure the local public-health permit. A property owner installing a system on the owner’s own premises for the owner’s use is exempt from the state installer-license requirement under the statute, but the site-specific permit requirement still applies.

County-specific and local rules

LRDHU publishes regional onsite sewage treatment regulations and application materials for this county. Confirm the current fee, form version, and any parcel-specific conditions with Environmental Health before work begins.

Official sources

• North Dakota DEQ — On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems
• North Dakota Century Code Chapter 23.1-07.1 — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
• North Dakota HHS — Local Public Health Units
• Lake Region District Health Unit — Environmental Health / onsite sewer treatment systems
• Lake Region District Health Unit — locations and contacts
• Lake Region District Health Unit — official site

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