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. Note: Online submittals can only be applied for by 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 (SER) from an On-Site Soils Evaluation (OSSE) Permit with Nevada County dated after June 1998. 
    • 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) (SER) from an On-Site Soils Evaluation (OSSE) permit with Nevada County dated after June 1998.
    • 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

There are some special circumstances where all of the requirements in Nevada County's Local Area Management Plan (LAMP) cannot be met. In these cases, a variance may be used. 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

See our Installation Guide to a Standard Septic System for more information. 

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