State rules govern septic installers and local system inspections

The Department of Environmental Quality has rulemaking authority over septic system licenses, permits, and inspections, and must guide local governments. These rules cover onsite wastewater systems, commonly called septic systems. A local ordinance that conflicts with a department rule is void.

An individual must hold a license to install septic systems as a business. The licensing rule applies to individuals who install septic systems as a business. People installing a system on their own property for their own use are exempt. The department may charge reasonable license fees. Spending fee money requires legislative approval.

Local public health units must inspect a septic system within one business day after receiving an inspection request. This duty applies to public health units handling septic system inspections. The inspection may be in person or virtual. A public health unit may agree with a county or city to handle permits and inspections in that area. The one-business-day period begins when the public health unit receives the request.

The department may suspend or revoke an installer’s license for specified misconduct or violations; a person who violates the chapter or its rules may face civil penalties. These provisions apply to licensed installers and individuals who violate the chapter, its rules, standards, orders, or permit conditions. A license may be suspended or revoked only after a hearing. The maximum civil penalty is $12,500 per violation, or $5,000 per violation for willfully false statements or falsified or damaged monitoring or sample information.

The law sets aside up to $99,500 for the department’s septic system regulation work and requires a report to legislative management. The funding and reporting duties apply to the Department of Environmental Quality. The appropriation is available only to the extent needed and is one-time funding. The funding covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. The report is due before August 1, 2026.