Septic permits in Madison, Limestone and Marshall County

Building a house on a lot without sewer, replacing a system that's given out, or adding onto a home that's on septic all run through the same office: the county health department where the property sits. The rules are statewide (ADPH's onsite sewage rules, Alabama Administrative Code chapter 420-3-1), so the steps are the same whether you're in Madison County, Limestone County or Marshall County. Here's the order things happen in.

Where to file

Step 1: Check for sewer and test the soil

ADPH's advice before buying land is to ask the city sewer authority or health department whether sewer is available. If not, the lot needs a soil evaluation by a professional engineer, professional land surveyor, professional geologist or professional soil classifier. Some lots won't work for a conventional system at all.

The rules require an engineer's design when:

• the system's design flow is over 1,800 gallons per day;
• the site can't take a conventional system;
• the lot is smaller than the state minimum;
• the drain field area slopes more than 25 percent (over 40 percent is unsuitable); or
• the system isn't a conventional design at all.

Sinkholes and caves also come into it; see the soil and sinkhole guide.

Tell us the town and the trouble, and we will put you through to a licensed septic contractor. (256) 692-6131

Step 2: Apply for the Permit to Install (or Repair)

The application for a home is ADPH form CEP-2, with the soil professional's results, a plot plan and the property description. The rules let the department charge a fee where it's authorized to, so ask the county office what it charges. The department has 28 calendar days to issue the permit or tell you why not; an incomplete application gets 30 more days before it expires and has to be started over with a new fee. Once issued, a Permit to Install is good for 5 years. No installation or repair may start before the permit is issued.

Step 3: Hire a licensed installer

The installer has to hold an AOWB license at the right level for the system: Basic for conventional and shallow-placement systems, Advanced Level I or II for mounds, timed dosing, secondary treatment and larger systems. On an engineered system, the installer has to consult with the design engineer before any part of it goes in.

Step 4: Inspection before anything is covered

The installer sets an inspection time with the health department's environmentalist and confirms by 9 a.m. that day that the system will be ready. Nothing may be covered or used until the department has had the chance to inspect, and anything covered early can be ordered dug back up. If the inspector can't make it within 30 minutes of the agreed time because of weather or workload, the department may let the installer cover the work. Within 3 business days of finishing, the installer files a completion certification (form CEP-5); on engineered systems the engineer certifies too.

Tell us the town and the trouble, and we will put you through to a licensed septic contractor. (256) 692-6131

Step 5: Approval for Use

The county issues the Approval for Use once everything checks out, and the house can't be occupied before then. Keep your copy: it includes the diagram of what was installed, and it makes any later repair simpler.

Retiring an old tank

When a tank is taken out of service, ADPH's rules say it must be pumped by an AOWB-licensed pumper, then either removed or filled in place with sand or soil.

FAQ