Skamania County, Washington septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Skamania County Community Development — Environmental Health On-Site Sewage Program

Skamania County Environmental Health — 509-427-3900; [email protected]. Septic applications and inspections are handled through the county permit center and CloudPermit.

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 evaluation for new builds, expansions, and certain repairs

Skamania County’s current septic process calls for a site evaluation for new construction, expansions, and repairs when prior soil records are unavailable. Applicants prepare the required site plan and test pits and submit the county site-evaluation application.

Water-adequacy verification

The county septic workflow includes water-adequacy documentation: applicants using public water submit the public-water letter, while properties using a private or shared well follow the county Water Adequacy Verification application process.

Licensed designer and installer

Skamania County directs applicants to use licensed septic designers for system design and licensed installers for installation, using the county’s current professional lists and licensing requirements.

Final inspection before covering

Skamania County requires the installed system to receive its final inspection before the septic system is covered. The inspection can be scheduled through the county permit system or permit center.

Final as-built drawing

After installation and inspection, the county process requires submission of the final as-built drawing using the county’s as-built checklist.

Operation and maintenance

Skamania County states that inspection frequency depends on system type and describes a one-to-three-year inspection range for residential systems, while proprietary systems require periodic maintenance contracts. Property owners remain responsible for operating and maintaining their systems.

Official sources

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