Septic System

  1. New Septic System
  2. Existing Septic System

Once you have completed the OSSE you will continue to work with a licensed professional to apply for an On-Site Wastewater System (OWTS) Septic Permit. A Septic System Contractor must possess a State of California Contractor’s license (Type A, C-36, or C-42) to construct, enlarge, alter, repair improve or replace an individual system.

A septic permit can be applied for by the parcel owner or a licensed contractor.

Submit an Septic Permit Application (see options below):

  • Option 1: Apply Online - The following is required to apply online
    • Professionals Contact Information
    • Site Plan showing proposed work
    • Septic Design Report for non-standard and treatment systems
    • Soils Evaluation Report
    • Agreement to Pay form.
    • Paying your fees is the last step of your online submittal, a link is provided that will take you to a 3rd party, Lexis Nexis. You will need the balance due and permit number to make your payment. NOTE: Septic Permits cannot be applied for online as Owner/Builder                                                                                                                                                                                
  • Option 2: Apply in-house at Nevada County Eric Rood Center; 950 Maidu Ave., Suite 170 - 1st Floor -  The following is required to apply in-house
    • Septic Permit Application
    • Site Plan showing proposed work (2 copies)
    • Septic Design Report for non-standard and treatment systems (2 copies)
    • Soils Evaluation Report (2 copies)
    • Agreement to Pay form 
    • Payment made with check/cash/credit card/money order payment

OWTS setbacks

  • From Septic Tank to structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ft
  • From Leach field and Leach field Repair Area to structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ft
  • From OWTS to High Water Mark of Ponds, Steams, Rivers, ect.. . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 ft
  • From OWTS to Wells, Including Those on Neighboring Parcels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  100 ft

For property line setbacks, please contact the Nevada County Planning Department or your local jurisdiction Planning Department. 

Septic Variance

If you wish to apply for a Septic Variance Request, please look through the Procedures for Applying for a Septic Variance prior to submitting the request. Necessary forms and fees can be found below.

Standard System Designs

Serial Crossover Detail - Standary Septic

Fees

OSSE Application Includes Application Fee, Review and Approval
$731.08
Standard Septic System Permit - Gravity Flow$628.46
Non-Standard Septic System Permit *Pressure Dose, Pumped, Deep Trench, Curtain Drain, Hi-Line, Capped$731.08
Non-Standard Treatment Septic System Permit *Sand Filter, *Geoflow, *Drip, *Mound, *Advantex, *Hoot, *Elgen, *Presby$825.86
Maintenance and Monitoring Annual Permit (Required for all systems marked with *)$103.70
Septic System Modification Permit$628.46
Septic Tank Replacement Only Permit$421.06
Septic Repair Permit$421.06
Septic Abandonment Permit$317.36
Septic Variance Request$414.80