Septic Permits in Virginia

When do you need a septic permit?

Virginia’s Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations, 12VAC5-610, say no one may construct, expand, modify or operate a sewage disposal system without a written permit. That covers new systems, enlargements and changes.

Pumping is different. You do not need a permit to have a tank pumped. The hauler needs one: anyone who removes septage by vehicle must hold a VDH sewage handling permit. A tank pumping is a maintenance visit, not a permit event.

What is a construction permit?

It authorizes a specific design and location for installing, expanding or changing a system. For properties without public sewer or water, VDH issues it before the county issues a building permit, so the house waits on it.

What is an operation permit?

It is the VDH document that lets you use the system once it is built. VDH issues it after the designer’s inspection report and the installer’s completion statement are submitted, and it must be issued before the building inspector releases the certificate of occupancy.

What are the steps to get a permit?

The sequence below follows VDH’s published process. Details vary a little by health district, so call yours.

• Hire a DPOR-licensed designer, an onsite soil evaluator or professional engineer, to evaluate the soil and design the system. Since August 2019, applications should include this private-sector work on VDH forms
• The owner or agent submits the application to the health department, which issues the construction permit
• A licensed installer builds the system, and the designer inspects it before it is covered with soil
• The designer’s report and the installer’s completion statement go to VDH, which issues the operation permit

A construction permit expires 18 months after it is issued, per VDH. Confirm with your health department. Fees vary by district, so ask the office.

Why does the soil evaluation matter here?

Central Virginia soils are mostly red clay, which can slow water moving through the ground, so the designer’s soil work decides where the drain field can go and how large it must be. Virginia Tech research on upland Piedmont soils in places like Appomattox and Buckingham counties notes perched wetness that makes drain field design harder. See Appomattox County for local contacts.

Who can do the work?

The Board for Waterworks and Wastewater Works Operators and Onsite Sewage System Professionals, part of DPOR, licenses onsite sewage system operators, installers and soil evaluators. That is also who may do a septic inspection for a sale; see our guide to septic inspections for home sales.

Dunn Rite does installation work, including tank installs and drain field installs. The permit paperwork and design go through the designer and the health department.

Do you need a review before adding rooms or remodeling?

Usually, when the project needs a building permit. Where a building permit is needed to add to, renovate or demolish a structure with an existing septic system, the building official can ask VDH to review whether the system remains safe, adequate and proper. VDH’s Blue Ridge district describes the steps: start the building permit, then submit a review application with a site plan showing the addition’s location relative to the tank and distribution box.

For additions people will occupy, the review includes a functionality inspection, which means uncovering the tank and distribution box. A riser can make that simpler. Design capacity is set at 150 gallons per day per bedroom, so an added bedroom can mean a larger system. Ask your health department how it handles your project.

How do you find your septic records?

Your permit, as-built drawing and operation permit are kept by the health department. VDH districts take records requests through the online portal at vdh.nextrequest.com. Include the property address and any permit number or dates you have. State law calls for a response within five working days, and you may be charged the actual cost of searching and copying.

Ask for the as-built drawing if one exists, because it shows where the parts are. If the tank is lost, a locating visit finds it on the ground.

Which health department covers the Lynchburg area?

The Central Virginia Health District headquarters is the Lynchburg Health Department, 307 Alleghany Avenue, at (434) 477-5900, with well and septic questions at LynchburgEH@vdh.virginia.gov. Offices are open Monday to Friday, 8:15 AM to 4:45 PM. Call before you drive over, and have the property address, the parcel or tax map number if you know it, and a short description of what you want to do.

The district also has offices in Amherst at (434) 946-9408, Appomattox at (434) 352-2313, Bedford at (540) 586-7952 and Rustburg for Campbell County at (434) 592-9550. Nelson County is in the Blue Ridge Health District; call its environmental services line at (434) 263-4297.