Official sources checked August 29, 2026

Clark County, Washington septic permits and requirements

Washington local-health-jurisdiction framework

Washington State Department of Health states that local health jurisdictions permit and manage onsite sewage systems in their counties. Local programs review and approve system locations, designs, installations, and repairs and may adopt local rules that meet or exceed Chapter 246-272A WAC.

Local permitting and design review

Washington Department of Health states that local health jurisdictions permit and manage onsite sewage systems. Clark County Public Health describes its local program as responsible for proper OSS placement, design, installation, and maintenance and provides the county permit process, forms, fees, and certified-provider lists.

County-certified septic professionals

Clark County requires people offering septic pumping, inspection, maintenance, repair, or installation services to be certified by Clark County Public Health. The county states that these certifications are renewed annually and directs property owners to its current certified provider lists.

Required inspection intervals

Clark County publishes local operation-and-maintenance inspection intervals by system type: conventional gravity systems every three years, pressure-distribution systems every two years, and advanced systems such as sand filters, sand mounds, aerobic treatment units, and similar systems every year. Food-establishment systems are inspected every year regardless of type.

Property-sale record requirement

Clark County tells realtors and homeowners to ensure a current Report of System Status is on file before listing a home for sale. For this county requirement, the report is considered current if completed within one year of the sale date.

Annual operating fee and overdue-inspection fee

Clark County states that properties with an onsite sewage system pay an annual OSS operating-permit fee. Under the county policy approved in 2025, an additional non-compliance fee can be placed on the property-tax bill when a required inspection is more than one year overdue as of December 31.

Existing septic records

Clark County makes permits, as-built drawings, and inspection information available through its Property Information Center. Search by address or tax account number and use the Environmental tab; if documents are unavailable, the county directs users to Public Health.

Official sources

• Washington State Department of Health — OSS management roles
• Washington State Department of Health — Chapter 246-272A rule revision
• Clark County Public Health — On-site Septic Systems
• Clark County — OSS non-compliance fee

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