Septic Program

Get details about your specific septic project and required documents

A failing septic system must immediately be repaired to eliminate public health hazards.

An Existing System Repair Evaluation may be required before a Major Repair Permit application can be submitted if we do not have adequate soil data for your property.

1. Contact Planning to verify your proposed scope of work is an allowed use.
2. Submit a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) and a copy of your site plan for Planning approval to zoninginfo@clackamas.us.
3. Have your entire septic system inspected by a qualified septic professional. The evaluator will complete an Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER).
4. Apply for an Authorization Notice.

1. Contact the Planning Department for approval to place a hardship dwelling on your property.
2. Submit a Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) and a copy of your site plan for Planning approval to zoninginfo@clackamas.us.
3. Have your septic system inspected by a qualified septic professional. They must complete an Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER).
4. Apply for an Authorization Notice.
   An Authorization Notice application submittal, review, and approval are required every five years for the Temporary Hardship Dwelling to remain connected to the existing septic system.

Staff will review the septic records for your property and determine if setbacks will be met for your proposal

• If there is an As-Built on record of the entire septic system to verify setbacks are met to the system and future repair area, it can be approved.
• If there is not an as-built of the entire system on record, an Existing System Verification (ESV) is required. A qualified septic professional must inspect your system and complete the ESV or Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER). This report will determine the location and components of your existing system and draw an As-Built of your existing system. This report must be submitted through an Existing System Verification application.

Staff will review the septic records for your property and determine if setbacks will be met for your proposal

• If there is an As-Built record for the entire septic system, it will be reviewed in reference to the proposed structure to ensure the required septic setbacks are met.
• If there is not and As-Built of the entire system on record, an Existing System Verification (ESV) is required. A qualified septic professional must inspect your system and complete the ESV or Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER). This report will determine the location and components of your existing system and draw an As-Built of your existing system. This report must be submitted through an Existing System Verification submittal.
• Review the Guidance for New Bathrooms in Detached Structure and determine which option will work best for your project. If gravity fall cannot be achieved from the new plumbing to the existing septic tank, a minor alteration permit will be required.

A Site Evaluation may be required before a Major Alteration permit application can be submitted if we do not have adequate soil data for your property.

A Site Evaluation is required to determine what kind of septic system is required, the minimum system requirements, and which specific areas of the lot can be approved for a septic system.

An issued Septic Permit is required to install a septic system

An separate approved Site Evaluation is required for each existing and proposed lot before the partition can be approved by the Planning department.

Contact us and Planning & Zoning.

An approved Site Evaluation demonstrates that a property meets septic system requirements. If the property does not have an approved site evaluation on record, apply for a site evaluation. Learn more about site evaluations here.

Only the property owner, or their authorized representative can submit a septic application. If the applicant is not the owner, the notice of authorizing representative form must be completed and signed by the owner and applicant and submitted with the application.

See all requirements and examples of acceptable site plans for a Septic Permit and Site Evaluation

• Review the septic inspection guidance and required paperwork.
• Inspection paperwork must be submitted through Development Direct no later than 7 a.m. the day of your inspection.
• Verify which inspection area your job is located in (East or West). East inspections are conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays, west inspections are conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Visit our schedule an inspection page for scheduling options.

Each property is site-specific. A Site Evaluation is required to determine the septic system sizing and minimum requirements. 

It can vary 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.

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 want to upgrade your system, you must still apply for a site evaluation if one has not been done previously.

Site evaluations do not expire. If site conditions change in a way that would prevent the installation of a code-compliant system, such as:

• A well is installed
• The area is graded or logged in a way that damages the soil structure
• A change in the course of a river or other surface water changes (construction of a pond)
• Fill is added to the approval area

Certain older "feasibility studies" are not compliant with current Oregon Administrative Rules and are not valid. Contact us at septicinfo@clackamas.us if you have questions regarding the validity of a site evaluation in our records.

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.

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.

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.

Once the tank, cesspool, and/or drywell has been pumped and properly decommissioned, complete the Certification of Existing System Decommissioning and submit to septicinfo@clackamas.us with the pumping receipt to be added to our records for the property. No fee or permit is required for decommissioning.