Onsite Sewage Disposal Program
The onsite sewage disposal program determines sewage treatment, disposal feasibility and inspects the installation of systems for properties located within Marion County that are not served by a community sewer system. Septic drain fields must be properly designed and installed to:
- protect groundwater from sewage contamination; and
- protect public health by properly treating and disposing of human waste.
Research a Property's Septic History
Research online records - Scanned documents. We are continuously working to increase the number of records available to the public, but there are multiple reasons as to why you may not be able to find septic history for your property. Please contact our office at 503-588-5147 with any questions.
What Type of Application Do You Need?
(If your system is over 2,500 gallons per day, please reach out to Oregon DEQ for permitting requirements: DEQ Water Pollution Control Facilities)
Please read through the following options below and select the appropriate packet:
1. Is the septic system failing? Is sewage surfacing on the ground or backing up into the house?
(NOTE: A failing septic system must be immediately repaired to eliminate the public health hazard per OAR 340-071-0215.)
- If repairing or replacing the septic tank, effluent line, or distribution box(es) — Apply for a Septic MINOR REPAIR.
- If repairing or replacing the drain field, or any alternate treatment technology with or without new septic tank— Apply for a Septic MAJOR REPAIR .
2. Are you trying to connect into an existing septic system due to replacing a home, adding a hardship home, adding bedrooms to an existing building, or changing the use/occupancy of an existing building?
- If re-connecting to an existing system with no increase in flow – Apply for a Septic Authorization.
- If re-connecting to an existing system with an increase of flow up to 50% of the existing system capacity or 300-GPD, whichever is less – Apply for a Septic Authorization.
3. Do you need to move the tank and/or drain field to accommodate new construction or a building addition without bedrooms? (See point 2 for work that proposes additional bedrooms)
- If moving the septic tank, effluent line, or distribution box(es), but leaving the existing septic drain field as-is – Apply for a Septic MINOR ALTERATION
- If moving or expanding the existing septic drain field and/or the tank, effluent line(s), & distribution box(es) – Apply for a Septic MAJOR ALTERATION
- If installing a new system that is beyond 50% of the existing system capacity or 300-GPD – Apply for a Septic SITE EVALUATION, and after receiving an Approved Site Evaluation, apply for a CONSTRUCTION INSTALLATION.
4. Are you building an accessory structure without plumbing, or an exterior addition without bedrooms?
- If there will be no plumbing and/or no addition of bedrooms - A Septic System Certification for Record Review form will need to be filled out and submitted with the structural application.
- If plumbing is proposed in the accessory structure and gravity flow to the existing septic tank is attainable - A Septic permit is not required. Check for plumbing permit requirements.
- If plumbing is proposed in the accessory structure and gravity flow to the existing septic tank is not attainable – Apply for a Septic MINOR ALTERATION to install a new septic tank with effluent pump to pump to the existing septic drain field. If an ejector pump is proposed to pump to the septic tank, the tank must be a two-compartment tank with an effluent filter.
5. Are you partitioning your property?
6. Are you adjusting a lot line between properties?
- To ensure that there is no conflict with the existing septic systems and replacement areas on the affected properties – Contact Public Works to ask for what is required.
7. Do you want to determine what type of septic system is required for an undeveloped parcel or when replacing an existing septic system?
8. Do you want to install a septic system on your property and already have a valid Site Evaluation approval for the property?
Application Packets
General Applications & Forms
Department of Environmental Quality Onsite Program
For additional information on a variety of topics relating to sewage disposal, check out the following links:
Other Useful Links
Background
Marion County Building Inspection issues all septic system permits within Marion County. Building Inspection is a contract agent of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Therefore, septic permits are issued under DEQ's DEQ Onsite Sewage Disposal Rules. The only exceptions are properties served by a community sewer system and systems reserved by DEQ, under DEQ Water Pollution Control Facilities (WPCF) rules.
The onsite sewage disposal program determines sewage treatment and disposal feasibility for homes not served by a community sewer system. Septic drainfields must be properly designed and installed to:
Improper sewage disposal can cause many diseases in humans. Please see our Septic System Basics brochure for additional information.