The proper disposal of solid, liquid and sewage wastes is crucial to prevent contamination to the land and the groundwater below. The use of sewers and municipal sewage treatment plants is limited to areas where infrastructure exists. On-site sewage disposal is the only viable alternative in areas not serviced by municipal sewers. Oakland County has over 80,000 onsite sewage disposal systems on residential and commercial properties.
The Environmental Health Services Unit protects land resources by offering the following services:
The link to submit an online application for a septic permit is below. Please note the following information regarding online permit applications.
First time users must register for an account on our Citizen Access Portal in order to apply for permits, apply for a septic installer license, pay fees, print permits, and print receipts.
The following types of septic permit applications may be submitted online:
All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to serve residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished or is extensively remodeled is considered New. A New Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system.
All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to replace, alter, or repair an existing onsite sewage disposal system for residential properties where the existing structure will remain intact or if remodeling does not increase the number of bedrooms or sewage flows. A Repair Onsite Sewage Disposal System Permit Application is required for any replacement, alternation, or repair of an existing onsite sewage disposal system.
All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to serve commercial or non-residential property that is vacant, has burned down, has been demolished, or extensively remodeled are considered New. A New Onsite Sewage Disposal Permit Application is required for construction or installation of a new onsite sewage disposal system unless the sewage flows are less than 10,000 gallons per day.
All sanitary sewage treatment and disposal systems proposed to replace, alter, or repair an existing onsite sewage disposal system for commercial or non-residential properties where the existing structure will remain intact or if remodeling does not increase sewage flows. A Repair Onsite Sewage Disposal System permit Application is required for any replacement, alteration, or repair of an exiting onsite sewage disposal system unless sewage flows are greater than 10,000 gallons per day.
A Service Fee will be charged to your account for using this Citizen Access Portal website service. This fee is for the purpose of maintaining and updating the web site and will be displayed prior to checkout.
We encourage the use of Google Chrome for online Environmental Health applications and services. Please allow popups.
An application for a septic permit can also be submitted at one of our offices.
A Community Sewage Disposal System is a system that is used for the treatment and/or disposal of sanitary sewage from multiple residential or non-residential buildings, dwellings, or structures. All applications for community sewage disposal systems must be submitted at the counter at one of our offices.
On March 22, 2012, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners passed Article XI, "Sewage Disposal System Installer Licensing". Effective May 6, 2012, this new article of the Oakland County Sanitary Code will require anyone who installs onsite sewage disposal systems in Oakland County to be licensed by the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD). Article XI, Section 2.1 states:
Its shall be unlawful to install, construct, alter, and/or repair any on-site sewage disposal system in Oakland County, Michigan without having first obtained a license issued by the Oakland County Health Division.
In order to obtain the required license, the following steps are required:
Once the above steps have been completed, your license will be issued by OCHD. Please note, a revised Article I of the Sanitary Code passed at the same time Article XI was passed and primarily increased fines and penalties. A printable class registration form, a link to Online class registration, Articles I & XI, and the application for an installer license are all below. If you have any questions regarding this new requirement, please contact our office at 248- 858-1312.
All credit and debit card transactions will now include a 3.5% transaction fee and electronic checks will include a $2.50 charge per order.
All credit and debit card transactions will now include a 3.5% transaction fee and electronic checks will include a $2.50 charge per order.
Obtain, complete and return an application for a permit to install or repair a sewage disposal system. Include a check for the proper fee. This application can be obtained and returned to either of our two offices located in Pontiac and Southfield. Online applications and payment can be submitted through the link above.
Arrange for a back hoe to dig holes on your property for the soil evaluation. At this time a Sanitarian from the Health Division must be present. Scheduling of the Sanitarian can be done by phone.
If everything is proper with the application, and the conditions on the property are acceptable (soils, water table, space), a permit to install a sewage disposal system is issued.
If there are problems with the application or the soils, several things can take place:
Yes, inspections needed are noted on the permit. If special inspections are not noted, then a final "before covering" inspection is the only one needed.
Permits and inspections are kept in our office for 18 years. Some local building departments may also have copies. Once obtained, these copies should be placed with other important household documents. These copies will help you locate parts of your septic system in the future.
It depends on usage (family size, garbage disposal, laundry, etc.). Generally, a new system should be pumped after two to three years. At that time, it should be evaluated for depth of solids. Pumping frequency could be lengthened or shortened based on this evaluation. The condition of the septic tank outlet elbow should also be evaluated at this time.
No, normal bacteria contained in sewage is sufficient to start the bacterial digestion occurring in the tank. We do not recommend the placement of water softener discharge lines in the septic tank.
Subdivisions and site condominium (site condo) developments are reviewed by Environmental Health Services before they are approved. The developments that are on septic systems and private wells are extensively reviewed for the proper soils and protected and adequate water supplies before development occurs. Office reviews are conducted for those developments using sewer and city water.
The Oakland County Health Division has many files as well as the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) these files are available for review. Call 248-858-1312 (Pontiac) or 248-424-7190 (Southfield) for information on how to obtain this information.
Eagle Valley
600 West Silverbell
Orion Township
Phone: 866-797-9018
Oakland Heights Development/Republic Services
2350 Brown Road
Auburn Hills
Phone: 248-373-2334
GFL/Pontiac City Landfill (Pontiac City residents only)
Collier Road
Pontiac
Phone: 888-443-1717
In addition, a number of landfills are located in the surrounding region:
Republic Services
2361 West Grand Blanc Road
Grand Blanc, MI 48439
(US-23 at Grand Blanc Road)
Phone: 810-655-4207
Richfield Landfill, Inc
11145 E. Mount Morris Rd.
Davison, MI 48423
Phone: 810-631-2321
Brent Run Landfill
8247 Vienna Rd.
Montrose, MI 48457
Phone: 810-639-3077
Arbor Hills Landfill
10690 Six Mile Road
Northville, MI 48167
Phone: 248-793-5610
Republic Services/Sauk Trail Hills
5100 South Lilley Road
Canton, MI 48188
Phone: 800-858-0089
Woodland Meadows Recycling & Disposal Facility
5900 Hannan Road
Wayne, MI 48184
Phone: 800-963-4776
City of Livonia, MI
32500 Glendale Ave.
Livonia, MI 48150
Phone: 734-466-2588
City of Riverview
20863 Grange Rd.
Riverview, MI 48193
Phone: 734-281-4263
Edward C Levy Co.
8800 Dix
Detroit, MI 48209
Phone: 313-429-2200
Republic Waste Services
36850 Van Born Rd.
Wayne, MI 48184
Phone: 734-641-3555
