What is the common mistake that you see applicants make during septic permitting process?
Scenario: An applicant had received an issued septic permit. An inspector checked the septic installation and wrote an inspection report; a copy of the inspection report was given to the applicant in the field. At this point, the applicant may assume that the septic permit was finalized. This is not always true. Sometimes the permit is left open. The applicant should read the inspection report and correct any deficiencies stated on the report. Then, the applicant would need to verify the permit is finalized. Two ways to suggest the permit is finalized:
1) The yellow installation permit is signed by the inspector at the lower right corner besides the statement "Construction and Permit Finaled by."
or
2) Permit Resource and Management Department (PRMD) Website shows a final status. The status of the permit can be checked at the PRMD website: http://prmd.sonoma-county.org/ On the website, enter the subject's assessor parcel number. Look for the subject permit number (ie SEP14-1234). When the septic permit is finalized, the status would be noted as "Finaled."
Scenario: An applicant had received an issued septic permit. An inspector checked the septic installation and wrote an inspection report; a copy of the inspection report was given to the applicant in the field. At this point, the applicant may assume that the septic permit was finalized. This is not always true. Sometimes the permit is left open. The applicant should read the inspection report and correct any deficiencies stated on the report. Then, the applicant would need to verify the permit is finalized. Two ways to suggest the permit is finalized:
1) The yellow installation permit is signed by the inspector at the lower right corner besides the statement "Construction and Permit Finaled by."
or
2) Permit Resource and Management Department (PRMD) Website shows a final status. The status of the permit can be checked at the PRMD website: http://prmd.sonoma-county.org/ On the website, enter the subject's assessor parcel number. Look for the subject permit number (ie SEP14-1234). When the septic permit is finalized, the status would be noted as "Finaled."
I would like to remodel, add an addition, and add bedrooms to the house. Is there anything I need to do to my septic system?
Scenario #1: Remodel 50% or Minor Addition
The existing septic system will need to be verified to meet class 3 standards for remodel which includes removing, altering, and/or replacing at or less than 50% of the exterior house's walls and/or adding an addition at or less than 640 square feet. No bedroom addition is allowed under class 3.
Scenario #2: Rebuild, Major Addition, bedroom addition
The existing septic system will need to be verified to meet class 1 or code conforming standards in order to remodel more than 50% exterior wall of the house, addition of more than 640 square feet, and/or add bedroom(s).
Scenario #1: Remodel 50% or Minor Addition
The existing septic system will need to be verified to meet class 3 standards for remodel which includes removing, altering, and/or replacing at or less than 50% of the exterior house's walls and/or adding an addition at or less than 640 square feet. No bedroom addition is allowed under class 3.
- A county septic staff may determine the septic system meets class 3 if 1) there is a record of the septic permit at PRMD; 2) the septic permit must be at or less than 20 years old; 3) the record shows a concrete or fiberglass septic tank (no redwood septic tank) and leach field or seepage pit (no cesspool); and 4) the square feet addition does not encumbered the septic system and reserve area.
- If there is no septic permit, a field clearance should be conducted by the county septic staff or private septic consultant. The field clearance will verify the function of the septic system and the location of the septic system. The septic tank and the beginnings of all leach lines should be located and dug up for observation; the ends of all leach lines should be located and stake.
- If there is a septic permit but it's more than 20 years old, a septic findings must be done either by the county septic staff or private septic consultant. The septic findings must verify the septic system is functioning properly without any failures. The septic system will need to be repaired if there are any failures or deficiencies.
Scenario #2: Rebuild, Major Addition, bedroom addition
The existing septic system will need to be verified to meet class 1 or code conforming standards in order to remodel more than 50% exterior wall of the house, addition of more than 640 square feet, and/or add bedroom(s).
- The county septic staff may review the septic file and find the existing septic system meets class 1 or code conforming standards.
- The county septic staff may ask for site and soil evaluations (pre-perc), conducted by both the county staff and septic consultant, in order to evaluate the existing septic system to determine if it meets class1 or code conforming status. During the site visit, the county staff and septic consultant may find the existing septic needs to be upgraded or that a new septic system needs to be designed and installed. The county staff might ask to run test(s) such as a soil lab test, percolation test, and/or wet weather ground water test.
What forms do I need to submit in order to request a service or a permit from the Well and Septic Section, Sonoma County PRMD?
Field Clearance:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, and 2 site plans showing septic system, building, water well, etc, and scope of proposed project
Septic Findings Report (Septic Findings by County Staff):
Septic Findings Report Application , 2 site plans
Review of Septic Findings Report ( Septic Findings by Septic Consultant. Report is Submitted to PRMD for a Review)
request for service form, septic findings report written by septic consultant. The report should have the following information:
1) site map showing the septic system 2) Evaluation of system performance 3) Age of the system & life expectancy 4) Sizing of system 5) Reserve area available 6) Inspection of septic tank & recent pumpers report within last 5 years 7) Classification of septic system (class 3, class 1, or code compliant)
Voluntary Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 2 septic plans. County septic staff might give the property owner a class 3 conditional letter (disclaimer) to be signed & notarized and may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Standard Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 4 septic plans. It may require a Planning/Zoning approval if the septic system design is for the proposed granny unit, guest house, or second main dwelling. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Nonstandard Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 4 septic plans, operational permit conditions and easement forms (OPR). May require a Planning/Zoning approval if the septic system design is for the proposed granny unit, guest house, or second main dwelling. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Standard or Nonstandard Septic Plan Check Only:
(not requesting for an installation permit)
2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Septic Tank Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Septic Tank Destruct Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 septic plans
3 Years Vesting Permit (septic system not installed yet):
service request form, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
2 Years Vesting Permit (septic system installed):
service request form, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Well Permit
well permit application, 1 site plan
Field Clearance:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, and 2 site plans showing septic system, building, water well, etc, and scope of proposed project
Septic Findings Report (Septic Findings by County Staff):
Septic Findings Report Application , 2 site plans
Review of Septic Findings Report ( Septic Findings by Septic Consultant. Report is Submitted to PRMD for a Review)
request for service form, septic findings report written by septic consultant. The report should have the following information:
1) site map showing the septic system 2) Evaluation of system performance 3) Age of the system & life expectancy 4) Sizing of system 5) Reserve area available 6) Inspection of septic tank & recent pumpers report within last 5 years 7) Classification of septic system (class 3, class 1, or code compliant)
Voluntary Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 2 septic plans. County septic staff might give the property owner a class 3 conditional letter (disclaimer) to be signed & notarized and may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Standard Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 4 septic plans. It may require a Planning/Zoning approval if the septic system design is for the proposed granny unit, guest house, or second main dwelling. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Nonstandard Septic Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 4 septic plans, operational permit conditions and easement forms (OPR). May require a Planning/Zoning approval if the septic system design is for the proposed granny unit, guest house, or second main dwelling. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Standard or Nonstandard Septic Plan Check Only:
(not requesting for an installation permit)
2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Septic Tank Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 floor plans, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Septic Tank Destruct Permit:
yellow permit form, 2 septic plans
3 Years Vesting Permit (septic system not installed yet):
service request form, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
2 Years Vesting Permit (septic system installed):
service request form, 2 septic plans. County septic staff may visit the site before issuing the permit.
Well Permit
well permit application, 1 site plan
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The septic inspection report stated the septic system will need an "electrical 189 inspection" before the permit can be finalized. What should I do?
Sometimes the septic system has a pump tank with an alarm box. The alarm box is wired to the house's control panel. The septic inspector does not check the electrical wiring. It's the building inspector that checks the electrical wiring. You would need to apply for an electrical permit at PRMD and then call the Sonoma County Building Division at (707) 565-3551 to request an inspection. You will need to have the building permit number ready and request an inspection, job item # 189.
Alternately, if you have an issued building permit to build a pool house or new dwelling, you maybe able to use this permit to request an 189 electrical inspection and not have to apply for an electrical permit.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
The septic inspection report stated the septic system will need an "electrical 189 inspection" before the permit can be finalized. What should I do?
Sometimes the septic system has a pump tank with an alarm box. The alarm box is wired to the house's control panel. The septic inspector does not check the electrical wiring. It's the building inspector that checks the electrical wiring. You would need to apply for an electrical permit at PRMD and then call the Sonoma County Building Division at (707) 565-3551 to request an inspection. You will need to have the building permit number ready and request an inspection, job item # 189.
Alternately, if you have an issued building permit to build a pool house or new dwelling, you maybe able to use this permit to request an 189 electrical inspection and not have to apply for an electrical permit.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
I need the county septic staff to conduct a septic findings. What is the procedure?
1. Apply for a septic findings report application at PRMD. It includes the following items:
A. Two site plans
B. Two floor plans of the proposed remodel or addition.
C. The fee is approximately $529. (findings report fee $525 + technical enhancement fee $4 =
$529).
2. Find and expose the septic tank and distribution boxes. Please note that you would need someone to open the two manhole lids on the septic tank during the district inspector’s visit. The two manhole lids could be heavy and hard to lift; please be prepared to lift.
3. You will need to show that the septic tank was pumped within the last 5 years by giving a copy of the sewage pumping receipt to the County septic staff. If you do not have the sewage pumping receipt or the septic tank hadn’t been pumped within the last 5 years, you will need to hire a licensed sewage pumper to pump the septic tank. The County septic staff will need to see the septic tank before and after it is pumped.
4. Call the County septic staff for an appointment for a site visit to conduct a septic observation. After the observation, you will receive a copy of the septic findings report from the County septic staff.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the permit fees at Sonoma Well & Septic Section?
Sonoma Well & Septic Approximate Fees
Permit & technical enhancement fees (SUSMP Fee Not Included)
Septic Permits
Voluntary Septic Repair Permit $611
Tank Only Permit $561
Tank Destruction Permit $354
Abatement/Addition Repair Permit $1,265
Minor Nonstandard Repair Permit $640
Major Nonstandard Repair Permit $1,423
Standard System Permit $1,442
Nonstandard System Permit $2,199
Experiment System Permit $2,496
Re-inspection or plan recheck fee $179
Testing and Data Review
Pre perc $478 (up to 5 profile holes review)
Percolation Data Review $654
Percolation Data Review (Subdivision) $332 per site
Field Clearance $470
Septic Findings $529
Review of Septic Findings $137
Wet Weather Groundwater Test $205 (up to 6 holes review)
Plan Check Subdivision
Subdivision Plan Check $227 per site
Subdivision Improvement Plan Check $315
Graywater Permits
Simple Graywater Permit $314
Complex Graywater Permit $448
Vesting Certificates
Vesting Certificate for Standard System $1,413
Vesting Certificate for Nonstandard System $1,518
Waiver Request
Administrative Waiver $108
Basin Plan (Formal) Waiver $580
OPR Permits
Operational Permit (Type 1) $420
Operational Permit (Type 2) $210
Operational Permit (Type 3) $140
Well Permits
Well Permit (class 1) $697
Well Permit (class 2) $824
Well Destruction Permit $315
Sonoma Well & Septic Approximate Fees
Permit & technical enhancement fees (SUSMP Fee Not Included)
Septic Permits
Voluntary Septic Repair Permit $611
Tank Only Permit $561
Tank Destruction Permit $354
Abatement/Addition Repair Permit $1,265
Minor Nonstandard Repair Permit $640
Major Nonstandard Repair Permit $1,423
Standard System Permit $1,442
Nonstandard System Permit $2,199
Experiment System Permit $2,496
Re-inspection or plan recheck fee $179
Testing and Data Review
Pre perc $478 (up to 5 profile holes review)
Percolation Data Review $654
Percolation Data Review (Subdivision) $332 per site
Field Clearance $470
Septic Findings $529
Review of Septic Findings $137
Wet Weather Groundwater Test $205 (up to 6 holes review)
Plan Check Subdivision
Subdivision Plan Check $227 per site
Subdivision Improvement Plan Check $315
Graywater Permits
Simple Graywater Permit $314
Complex Graywater Permit $448
Vesting Certificates
Vesting Certificate for Standard System $1,413
Vesting Certificate for Nonstandard System $1,518
Waiver Request
Administrative Waiver $108
Basin Plan (Formal) Waiver $580
OPR Permits
Operational Permit (Type 1) $420
Operational Permit (Type 2) $210
Operational Permit (Type 3) $140
Well Permits
Well Permit (class 1) $697
Well Permit (class 2) $824
Well Destruction Permit $315