Septic and Onsite Wastewater Program

Main Content

We regulate the installation, repair, and maintenance of septic systems for homes and businesses not served by community sewer systems.

NOTICE: Development Direct and our permitting system will be offline from: 
4 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 9 until 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 14 
See more information

Development Direct logo    
Our one-stop digital development services hub.

Use Development Direct to apply for...

  • All Development Engineering permits, including:
    • Development Permits
    • Entrance Permits (Driveway)
    • Right of Way Permits
    • Utility Permits
  • All Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical permits that require a plan review
  • Licensed contractor Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical permits that do not require a plan review
  • All Septic projects (except operation and maintenance reports)

Development Direct logo
Login to Development Direct

Instructions to submit using Development Direct

You must use the Chrome or Firefox browser to access Development Direct.

The following permits DO NOT require submission through Development Direct…

  • Basic Homeowner Electrical, Plumbing and Mechanical permits on your own residence or home-based business that do not require plan review
  • Planning/Land Use permits

To learn more and apply for these permits
Visit How To Apply for a Permit

Forms

Man signing forms in car

Septic and Onsite Wastewater Forms

Looking for forms? These forms are the most commonly used ones for septic and onsite wastewater projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

128276

To schedule an inspection, call 503-742-4720, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your permits ready with the permit numbers associated with the inspections you are requesting, and a code for the type of inspection you need.  The code for a septic inspection is 700.  Visit the schedule an inspection page for more details.

128276

Unless you have made prior arrangements with the department, please call for an inspection only when the installation is complete and all that is left to do is backfill. For standard systems:

  • the tank  in the ground and water tested,
  • the pump (if applicable) and alarm ready for operation,
  • float settings set properly (pre-checked),
  • pressure line or effluent sewer installed,
  • trenches dug,
  • drain media installed,
  • boxes and header piping installed, and
  • (if applicable) the groundwater interceptor trench dug with rock, pipe, and filter fabric in place. 

 Systems found to be incomplete may be subject to a re-inspection fee. 

128276

No, unfortunately that is not possible. Our staff plans their routes as efficiently as possible,  but cannot predict what situations they may encounter on each inspection; some may go smoothly while others may require more time.

128276

Permits are subject to re-inspection fees for incomplete installations (i.e., not ready for inspection) and when the corrections from a previous inspection have not been made and a subsequent inspection is required.

128276

The  tank inlet and outlet should be plugged, and the tank should be filled with clean water two inches into the riser. There needs to be a clearly visible mark at the water level, along with the time, date, and your initials.

  • If the water level drops less than one inch in 24 hours and the rest of the system is complete, you are ready to call for an inspection.
  • If the water level drops more than one inch in 24 hours, seal all leaks and perform the test again.
  • When the water level drops less than one inch in 24 hours and the rest of the system is complete, you are ready to call for an inspection.

Please be aware that failure to properly water test the septic tank will require a re-inspection.

128276

One of the items we verify is the setback from property lines to the septic system. The property corners need to be clearly marked and the property line easily identifiable in order for us to confirm that the system meets the required setbacks.

128276

If during the installation you find that a change is needed to the design, materials, or location of your system, contact the department at soilsconcern@clackamas.us or 503-742-4740 before making the change to ensure it is allowed under the applicable rules.  Please note that not all changes can be approved, and some may result in additional fees. 

128276

For additional questions, please call the Septic Department at 503-742-4740. 

128276

We have some subdivision records from before the mid-1970s, which is when we started to run the septic system program. Our records are complete for septic systems built after that. Please note that many building permits were issued based on pre-existing systems, so there may be newer homes for which there are no septic records. 

128276

Please complete and submit a Public Records Request. We do not accept telephone requests for records. Records Research Requests are completed by staff each week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A self-help area which allows you to access your records is available anytime our building is open. Please note there are processing fees for records requests (if records are found). 

128276

You should plan on an area of approximately 100 ft. by 100 ft. (10,000 square feet) for an average 450-foot standard drainfield and drainfield repair area for a one-to-four-bedroom house. This can be reduced with some alternative systems to about 3,500 square feet. This entire area must meet all setbacks (see setback form).

128276

Though minimum lot sizes are in part determined by the type of soil on a property, we consider a one-acre lot with public water, or a two-acre lot with a well, as the minimum lot size required for a septic system that can meet applicable setbacks. Smaller lots will probably require the system to be staked in the field to ensure it can fit with all other existing or proposed development before we issue a septic permit or a building permit. 

128276

An approved Site Evaluation demonstrates that a given property has been found suitable for a septic system. General information on the Site Evaluation process can be found on our Site Evaluation Guide page

If a Site Evaluation approval is not on file for the specific property and location you wish to install a septic system, you will first need to apply via Development Direct to have the property evaluated. Visit our How To Apply for a Permit page for more information on the application process

128276

It varies with the season. During the busy summer building season, please allow for several weeks. During the slower winter months, we can process a request more quickly.   There is no advantage to testing your site during summer. During the summer we look for permanent markings in the soil that accurately indicate the depth to the winter water table.

  • Note: System Repair Evaluations for actively failing systems are our highest priority, but results may be delayed if we are not given evidence of an active failure.
  •  If you simply want to upgrade your system, you must still apply for a site evaluation if one has not been done previously.

Our applications, instruction sheets, fee schedules, plot plan instructions, and handouts on test hole construction tips are available online.

128276

Only the property owner/contract buyer can sign the application for a septic permit, unless another agent has been authorized in writing. Use the Notice Authorizing Representative form to authorize an agent.

128276

Show the following:

  • All wells within 200 feet of the property
  • A north arrow
  • The scale (the preferred scale is approximately 1 inch equals 30 ft)
  • For site evaluations, the location from two perpendicular lot lines to at least  two test holes. Note: the test holes must be in the area you propose to build a new or replacement drainfield.
  • The location of the existing drainfield , if othere is one
  • Any geographic feature that requires a setback (creeks, ditches, escarpments, etc.)
128276

All the items listed above need to be shown, but we ask that you focus only on the area to be developed rather than the entire site.

128276

Septic approvals are good indefinitely or until site conditions change in a way that would prevent theinstallation of  a code-compliant system such as:

  • A well installed in the approval area.
  • The approval area is graded or logged to such an extent that drainfield function could be expected to be impaired.
  • A change in river course could reduce lot size such that insufficient acreage would remain.
128276

A septic approval is seldom an approval of the entire lot, but rather an approval of a specific location for the septic drainfield. We look at the soil profile (color, texture, continuity of layers) as well as a surrounding area of sufficient size and slope to properly site a drainfield. In addition, we consider site stability and setbacks. However, we do not do percolation tests since they are not a valid way to predict drainfield sizing under Oregon DEQ rules.

128276

Relocating a septic approval to a new location on the property will require a new site evaluation unless the new area has been evaluated and approved separately.

128276

The easiest solution is to place the septic tank near the home and pump the sewage effluent to the drainfield location. Alternatively, you may apply for a new site evaluation in an area more favorable to your preferred property layout plans.

128276

No. Home site approval does not include the site evaluation process needed for septic system approval. To obtain a septic system approval, you must complete and submit an application for a site evaluation and prepare test holes in the area planned for septic system installation.

128276

Phone:503-742-4740
Email:septicinfo@clackamas.us

150 Beavercreek Road 2nd floor Oregon City, OR 97045

Office Hours:

Septic staff is available by appointment only for in-person and online meetings, 1-4 p.m., Mondays and 8 a.m.-noon, Thursdays. Schedule an appointment Online or call 503-742-4740.

Available by phone/email  
Monday through Thursday  
8 a.m. to 4 p.m.