Official sources checked August 30, 2026

Tooele County, Utah septic permits and requirements

Utah state and local framework

Utah Rule R317-4 assigns local health departments jurisdiction to administer the onsite wastewater rule. Local health departments may adopt stricter requirements, assess local fees, require operating permits and servicing, protect groundwater through local policy, and regulate alternative onsite systems within their jurisdictions.

County permit and inspection process is governed by local Regulation #12

Tooele County Health Department administers local wastewater-disposal requirements in addition to Utah Rule R317-4. Its regulation establishes septic permitting, percolation testing, onsite inspections, fees, and local enforcement requirements.

New systems require certified design

Tooele County states in its septic permit application that new onsite wastewater systems must be designed by a Utah State Level II Certified onsite wastewater designer, with the completed design submitted to the Health Department as part of the permit application.

Local application requires a detailed property map

Tooele County requires a property map showing applicable buildings, water service, wells, property lines, septic tank and absorption area, watercourses, soil and percolation test locations, driveways, contours when required, easements or drainage rights-of-way, and lot dimensions.

Percolation testing is controlled by local regulation

County Regulation #12 requires percolation tests in the proposed absorption area under Utah R317-4. The testing is performed at the owner’s expense by a registered sanitarian, registered engineer, or another qualified person approved by the Health Department.

Two-stage county inspection before backfill

Tooele County requires the installer to request onsite inspection at least 24 hours in advance. A designated Health Department agent inspects after trench excavation and again before backfill.

County permits are valid for 24 months

Tooele County Regulation #12 states that an individual septic-system permit is valid for 24 months. Starting work without first obtaining the required permit can trigger a separate investigation and investigation fee in addition to the permit fee.

Environmental record searches are available

Tooele County Health Department accepts Environmental Record Search Requests for existing records. The county requires an application and fee before processing the search.

Official sources

• Utah DEQ — R317-4 Onsite Wastewater Systems / local health department jurisdiction
• Tooele County Health Department Regulation #12 — Wastewater Disposal
• Tooele County — Septic/Wastewater Permit Application
• Tooele County Health Department — Environmental Health Contact
• Tooele County Health Department — Environmental Record Searches

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