Septic Systems
UPDATE: Starting December 1, 2025, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) Customer Service Counter for Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems will relocate from the Planning and Development Services (PDS) Building at 5510 Overland Avenue to the DEHQ office at 5500 Overland Avenue, Suite 110. All DEHQ fees will be collected in accordance with the fee schedule in effect for the fiscal year in which the services are performed. If work occurs in a different fiscal year than when the original fees were assessed, applicants may be re-invoiced at the current fiscal year rates. DEHQ fee collection by PDS for projects with deposit accounts will remain unchanged. All other projects requiring DEHQ services will be assessed fees and collected by DEHQ. |
As part of our annual program assessment, the Department of Environmental Health and Quality recently held two workshops to solicit feedback on the Annual Operating Permit for Supplemental Treatment Systems (STS). Please see the presentation PDF from the workshops that includes information on the current requirements for STS’s, potential modified programmatic options, and a QR code to provide feedback on the proposed options.
To help with our program evaluation prior to our next annual cost recovery efforts in early 2026, we hope that you can take a few moments to review the presentation and provide your feedback through the provided QR code or by completing our feedback form.
| Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) |
The LAMP provides alternative standards than those set by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy and must still achieve the same water quality and public health protections.
Final 2025 LAMP - Effective February 1, 2025 (Updated 1/13/2025)
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RECENT UPDATES
In preparation for the roll out of the new LAMP, the Department of Environmental Health & Quality (DEHQ), Land Use Program held two separate meetings open to all stakeholders on December 11, 2024 and January 10, 2025. These meetings provided highlights to the 2025 LAMP and information on new and/or updated program procedures and forms. New and updated forms are effective February 1, 2025. Thank you to all that participated and provided valuable feedback. Your continued participation and support of our local program will ensure a successful rollout of the 2025 LAMP.
Additionally, you can find a copy of the final 2025 LAMP, summary of changes and a summary of all comments received with responses by clicking the links below:
OWTS Ordinance - Effective October 11, 2024
Final 2025 LAMP - Effective February 1, 2025 (Updated 1/13/2025)
Resolution R9-2024-0130 - Effective February 1, 2025
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ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The purpose of regulating the design, installation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems (or, septic systems) is to:
- Ensure that these systems provide a safe and reliable means of wastewater treatment and disposal for properties not served by a sewer system
- Prevent the contamination of groundwater from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent the contamination of surface water from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent premature failure of onsite wastewater treatment systems
2015 Version: Local Agency Management Program
2025 Version: Local Agency Management Program
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy
Program Services
- Design review of new onsite wastewater treatment systems and Graywater Systems
- Design review of repairs and modifications to existing on-site wastewater treatment systems
- Installation inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Maintain design records for properties using onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Respond to citizen complaints of failing onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide coordinated review with other agencies for projects that require CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) or involve the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide review of discretionary land development projects that may involve DEHQ related permitting issues
Types of Systems
Currently, DEHQ is approving conventional system and supplemental treatment systems:
- Septic tanks must have IAPMO approval and be approved for use by DEHQ
- Leach lines can be constructed with either rock and pipe or other approved materials that would include plastic chambers
- Deep beds are restricted to sites with uniform soil conditions and average percolation rates not exceeding 30 minutes per inch
- Vertical seepage pits are restricted to coastal sedimentary basins that have degraded groundwater caused by salt water intrusion
- Supplemental treatment systems must include percolation testing and a design from a licensed OWTS Professional
- Any site with slopes that exceed 25% must include with the layout a slope stability report or statement from a licensed civil engineer or geologist
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APPLICATIONS
OWTS Layout Report Template Updated
Consultation Request Form Updated
Covenant Agreement Termination Form New
OWTS Professional Registration Application New
Percolation Test Permit Application New
Percolation Test Results Form Updated
Vertical Pit Capacity Results Form New
Septic Repair Authorization Application Updated
Septic Installation Permit Application New
Sewage Hauler Permit Application Updated
Health Care Trailer Application
Please also complete Planning and Development Services' (PDS) Temporary Health Care Trailer form and all requirements with PDS.
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RESOURCES
LAMP 5-Year Evaluation Report (January 2022)
Groundwater Monitoring Form New
Groundwater Separation Guidance Updated
Qualified Service Provider List New
Percolation Test and Vertical Pit Capacity Test Procedures & Guidance New
San Diego County Code: Onsite Wastewater System Ordinance
Senate Bill 9 (SB-9) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Guidance Updated
Septic Tank Pumping Checklist New
Septic Tank Destruction Guidance New
Standard Operating and Maintenance Plan for OWTS New
Septic Pumping Rebate Program (DPW)
EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - (Spanish- Guía del dueño de hogar para sistemas sépticos)
| Document Library |
Land Use Program records including septic and graywater systems, boundary adjustments, maps and discretionary projects submitted directly to DEHQ are now available online through the Environmental Health Document Library.
If you were not able to find records online, please directly submit your request to the Public Records Request Center (PRRC) and select DEHQ - Food, Water and Housing Division (FWHD) to ensure a faster review and processing time.
Contact Us
(858) 565-5173 (Duty Desk)
(858) 694-2553 (Septic Inspection Line)
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