Island County, Washington septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Island County Public Health — Environmental Health Onsite Sewage Program

Island County Environmental Health — 360-679-7350 (Coupeville) or 360-678-8261 (Camano). The county reviews new and replacement septic systems and maintains parcel/as-built records.

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.

Site registration comes first

Island County describes a three-stage septic process. A licensed designer first evaluates soil depth, texture, groundwater conditions, and other site factors and submits a Site Registration to the county. The county states that the registration does not expire unless site conditions are significantly changed, such as through grading or logging.

Design approval and construction permit

After site registration, a licensed designer prepares the system design based on the planned use of the property. Island County Public Health reviews the application and, when approved, issues the septic construction permit. The county states that an approved septic permit is valid for three years.

As-built record after installation

After installation, Island County requires an as-built drawing documenting the system as actually installed. The county says the installer prepares the scaled as-built showing component locations and relevant equipment or operating information.

Septic documentation before a building-permit submittal

Island County Planning and Building states that, for building-permit submittals under the requirements effective March 1, 2024, applicants must have a site registration and a septic design prepared by a qualified septic designer, along with the other listed access, address, and water-availability documentation.

Existing records

Island County provides parcel and septic as-built information through its public portal and directs users to onlineRME for septic inspection and pumping reports.

Official sources

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