Septic and Onsite Wastewater Systems

General Transportation & Development Fees

For septic systems with a reporting requirement, an Annual Operation and Maintenance Report and related fee is required each year a septic system is in operation, regardless of whether the structure is occupied. Maintenance providers or property owners must submit an annual report to the Clackamas County Septic Program and pay the annual report fee. Prior to submitting an annual report, the maintenance provider or property owner must follow these steps:

1. Verify the reporting requirement prior to submittal.
   The $126.69 annual fee is due for each report submitted, even if a system does not require annual reporting.
2. Verify the septic permit number.
   Use the records lookup guidance on our website to confirm the correct septic permit number associated with the address. If the permit number in your records is not found, attempt to search by address and/or taxlot. If you’re unable to locate the permit number, email septicinfo@clackamas.us to confirm the correct permit number prior to submitting your report.
3. Verify your Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) maintenance provider certification status on DEQ’s website.
   Submit a copy of your certification if DEQ does not reflect a recent renewal.
4. Use the current DEQ-approved Annual Operation and Maintenance Report Form for reporting.
5. Verify the completeness and accuracy of the report for each property. 
   eports requiring staff to validate data or make corrections are subject to a 1-hour minimum, $123 per hour fee.
6. Submit your report(s).
   Important info:
   1. Do not send a payment; staff will reach out for payment after validating reports.
   2. Submit by email (septicinfo@clackamas.us) or mail (Clackamas County, ATTN: Septic Program, 150 Beavercreek Rd., Oregon City, OR 97045):
      1. Provide a contact name, email and phone number with your submittal.
      2. If submitting multiple reports at one time, bundle no more than 25 reports with the same system status (i.e., operational or failing, as described below).

A personal use shop generally does not require the drainfield to be enlarged, as the net flow to the system will not increase (you are either using the bathroom in the home or in the shop). 

There are four main options for connecting your shop bathroom to an existing septic tank currently serving the home: 

1. Simply connect to the existing septic tank that serves the home. If the shop is located where there is sufficient fall to the existing septic tank (as determined by the Plumbing Code), you may be able to simply connect a pipe from the shop to the existing septic tank, without the need for installing a pump or additional tanks. This will require a Plumbing permit.
2. Install a septic tank at the shop, and connect directly to the existing drainfield serving the house. This requires a minimum amount of fall between the outlet of the tank at the shop and the existing drainfield. See OAR 340-071-0220(11) for required amount of fall. This will require a Plumbing permit to connect the shop to the septic tank, and a Septic permit to install a new tank and new effluent sewer pipe to the drainfield.
3. Install a dosing septic tank and pump near the shop. This is one option if there isn’t sufficient fall between the shop and the existing septic tank or drainfield. This option requires a new tank with a pump to be installed at the shop, so that only effluent (liquid) is pumped to the existing septic tank that serves the house. This is the most common option we see when someone wants to add a bathroom to their shop, and is unable to gravity feed sewage directly to the existing septic tank. This will require a Plumbing permit to connect the shop to the septic tank, and a Septic permit for installation of the new tank and effluent pump.
4. Install a sewage ejector pump in the shop. This is another option if there isn’t sufficient fall between the shop and the existing septic tank. This type of pump turns the sewage into a slurry for transport to a receiving tank. Per DEQ rules (OAR 340-071-0220(3)(d)), a multi-compartment tank is required if you plan to use a sewage ejector pump. As most homes have been installed with a single compartment septic tank, this option will most likely require the existing septic tank be replaced with a multi-compartment tank, or the installation of an additional tank in series with the existing tank. The pump and any connection to a septic tank will require a Plumbing permit, and the installation/addition/replacement of a septic tank requires a Septic permit.

Review the most common septic projects and their document requirements below. We are here to help you. Contact us about your specific project at septicinfo@clackamas.us.

Purpose

To determine if sufficient space exists on a lot with limited area for the proposed development, and ensure all septic components meet required setbacks.

Procedure

1. Clear tall brush in area of stakeout, approximately 10,000 sq ft (100'x100' or equivalent). Do not remove topsoil or otherwise grade the area. If the area is covered with brambles, clear a path to any features requiring a setback (ex: escarpment, stream, or well).
2. Use a transit or laser (not a builders level) to mark points about 25 ft apart on the leach line. Make sure the line is at the same elevation (or within the allowed trench depth variation) throughout its length. Mark the points with stakes tall enough to be visible above any remaining brush. Color-code each line using alternating colors for each leach line. Alternatively, you can spray paint or drape string between stakes of each line. Do this for both the original and replacement drainfields.
3. Stake the other septic components, such as the septic tank, and sand filter if required, as well as the house, accessory buildings, drive, and any other proposed development. If you do not know the actual house you can draw a general envelope of the area where the house could fit. Check with the Planning Section to ensure that all building envelopes meet their requirements for setback to the property lines.
4. Accurately record the elevation at the beginning and end of each leach line, as well as the line lengths and color in a chart. Draw all the septic components and other developments on an accurate, to scale plot plan and submit it to the Soils Section for review. Provide a north arrow, and roads on your lot frontage. Draw in all features that require a setback, and the distance from the feature to the closest septic component.

* Check site evaluation for maximum trench depth variation

Do I need an Authorization Notice?

An Authorization Notice is required when you propose to reconnect to an existing septic system, when there is an increase in flow, when there is a change in use (from residential to daycare, for example), or when a temporary dwelling is needed for hardship reasons*.

Application

To apply for an Authorization Notice, submit an Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER) from a DEQ certified provider. If no previous records are available you will also need to provide a Record Drawing and Installed Materials List from a licensed septic installer or consultant.

System components may need to be uncovered for soils staff review if:

• If the maintenance inspection report is in dispute by the county or property owner.
• If there are no records on the system and the materials in the system are not consistent with a system installed prior to 1974
• The new proposal (foundations or partition, for example) appears to conflict with minimum required setbacks to septic components (5 ft to the tank and 10 ft to the drainfield).

Evaluation Results

Based on the Inspection Report, we may require that the septic components be moved, replaced or supplemented. Any septic system construction will depend on the analysis of the test pits and other site conditions. Other than maintenance (pumping the tank or removing roots from any components) all work on the septic system must be done under a permit.

Altering the septic components

Minor changes to a septic system can be done under an alteration permit. If more than 50% of the drainfield is affected or if there is an increase in flow greater than 300 gallons per day or 50% of the system capacity (whichever is less), a site evaluation, rather than an authorization notice, is required and new construction permit, rather than an alteration permit will be required.

Repairs to the existing system

If system components are found to be in need of repair or replacement, a septic repair permit will be required. Test pits may be required for repairs to drainfield components.

Clackamas County Septic and Onsite Wastewater
150 Beavercreek Road
Oregon City, OR 97045

*Medical hardship Authorization Notices are required every 5 years as per OAR 340-071-0205

The Same Owner Easement form used by all field offices to site a system or a portion thereof onto adjacent property under the same ownership may establish an agreement and covenant between the Grantor and the State of Oregon through the Department of Environmental Quality.

Such an easement can not be released except through an action by the Department. The Regional Division Administrator must sign the easement release form. Before the Regional Division Administrator will sign the form, all documents related to releasing the easement must be in order, and must be passed through a short chain of review within the Department.

What documents must be assembled?

1. One copy of the original (and current) easement;
2. Written statement from the Legal Entity (e.g., City, County or Sanitary District) assuring the sewer connection has been made. If other than a sewer connection the property owner must provide a written statement describing why the easement is no longer needed;
3. The completed original easement release form.

Where are these documents to be sent?

The property owner is to send the documents to the Agent in the appropriate County within the region. The documents will be reviewed, and verification that the easement should be vacated will be made. The Agent will forward the documents with a written statement that the easement should be vacated to the appropriate DEQ regional lead staff listed below. Once the DEQ regional lead staff person is satisfied that all is in order, they will forward all documents and a summary report to their manager or Regional Division Administrator for approval. Once the Regional Division Administrator signs the easement release form, all documents will be returned to the DEQ regional lead staff person. The DEQ regional lead staff person will return the original easement release form to the Agent and make copies of these documents for the Department file record. The Agent will return the original easement release form to the property owner and make a copy for their file record. The property owner now needs to complete the process by recording it at the county recorder's office and sending a copy of the recorded document back to the onsite office that holds the property file.

DEQ onsite program regional lead staff contacts