You, your builder, or your septic installation contractor will need to apply for a permit. Typically these are issued by authorized permitting agencies of the state. In most states authorized permitting agencies are at the county level, often at the County Board of Health or County Engineering Office. In some instances, this will be the same governmental agency that issues building permits. In localites where aerobic systems are virtually universally required, you may be required to personally file the permit application. This is because you will be personally involved in running an active waste treatment plant and the local authorities want to make certain that you understand the maintence steps you will need to perform to keep your plant operating effectively. The typical application package will include the results of the professional engineer's site evaluation, a property plan showing location of the proposed dwelling, driveway, sewage lines, tanks, and absorption field, and any ponds, tanks or adjacent lakes. The application will also require a floor plan for the site, indicating rooms, closets, and total heated/air conditioned floorspace. It will also include several copies of the proposed design of the septic sytem and a map showing the property location. There will probably also be a requirement for a floodplain certificate, and the identification of a suitable second absorption field, should the initial absorption field fail at some future time and need to be replaced.

If you are required to personally file your installation permit application, be certain to review it with your installation contractor. He or she is probably well aware of the requirements for a successful application and this coordination step will assure that you and your contractor are in agreement as to where the system will be installed.

Before submitting your finalized application, call 1-800-DIG-TEST. This is a free nationwide program funded by utility companies that pay to have someone come out to your site and flag or mark the location of existing utility lines. This one simple step can save a great deal of aggravation on your part as it takes time to schedule and reconnect severed utility lines.