Septic System Permitting

OWTS (On-Site Wastewater Treatment System) Information

For more information, contact David Wilson (Environmental Health Specialist) at 719-427-0179 or email David Wilson.

OWTS Regulations

OWTS Transfer of Title Acceptance Document (Use Permit)

Are you selling a property on a septic system? Per the Lake County On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) regulations, property owners of any residence or other building/facility served by an OWTS, are required to get a TOT use permit, from LCPHA, prior to the sale or transfer of title of the property. Failure to obtain a TOT use permit, from the LCPHA, for a covered transaction as provided by this regulation will subject the owner who failed to obtain the document to a penalty assessed under section 25-10-113, C.R.S.

Please visit the Transfer of Title page to apply now!

OWTS / Septic Permits

You must be licensed to install before you install or repair an OWTS. See a list of Lake County Licensed OWTS Contractors.

The following permit applications are required to be submitted online using the links below. What to expect: These applications use a website called Skipthepaper.com/OnlineRME which has a $10 processing fee. The fees pay for Lake County Governments use of the OnlineRME database, paperless forms and all fees include the payment portal fees. When your application is submitted, you will be shown a receipt and you will see two charges on your credit card. One charge to Lake County Govt. and the process fee to OnlineRME. If you cancel or dispute the charges your permit or applications will be invalidated and canceled. You will also receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive the email, please check your email program's spam filter and spam settings.

  • Application for New / Major repair OWTS permit
    • $600 permit + fee - Major Repairs include; tank only, STA only repairs, or bedroom additions/remodels. All Require Engineers design and includes up to three LCPHA inspections.
    • $800 New builds Requires Engineers design and includes up to three LCPHA inspections.
  • Application for minor to small repair permits
    • $25 permit + fee - Minor Repair
      Minor repairs include; adding risers and/or tank lid replacements, cleanout replacements, and very minor five feet or less of straight sewer pipe replacement where the contractor will submit scope of work and before and after photos to LCPHA.
    • $300 permit + fee - Small Repair
      Small repairs include sewer pipe replacement with joints, sections five feet or more in length or sections requiring encasements, and pump replacements. The contractor will submit scope of work and before and after photos. These require one inspection from LCPHA. Small repairs shall only replace existing parts and will not change the way the system was originally designed to function.
  • Permit Transfer
    • As of November 1, 2022, Lake County revised its regulations to allow the transfer of septic permits from the previous owner to the new owner after the transfer of title. The new owners are required to apply within 60 days of closing otherwise the permit will become invalid. To apply for a septic permit transfer submit the Septic Permit Ownership Transfer Application along with a copy of proof of ownership (warranty deed, closing papers etc.) by email to Environmental Health.
  • Permit Renewal
    • $250 renewal fee- Permits are good for one year from date of issuance. If a permit needs to be extended, fees and additional approval are required. Contact Lake County Environmental Health Department at 825 W 6th Street or by calling 719-486-2413 ex.2.

License to Install or Repair OWTS / Septic Systems

Due to COVID19, all testing is done online.

Steps to becoming a Lake County licensed OWTS Installer/repair contractor:

  1. Register for an account using the email you will use to apply for the exam and conduct OWTS business with Lake County.
  2. Submit a test application using the same email you registered for an account (the email mustmatch)
  3. Study Reg. 43 and Lake County Reg. Allow yourself 4 hrs to complete both A(state) and B (Lake County). State Installer Exam Part A is 62 questions and Lake County Part B is 20 questions. You will receive an email from skipthepaper.com advising you to login to complete the exam. Please watch your junkmail for emails from Skipthepaper.com.
  4. When you get the email notice your application is accepted, you have 30 days to log into your skipthepaper.com account and open your test application. Scroll down and on the right, you will see a single use URL for the exam. This is a single use URL. Do not click it until you are ready to take the exam. You will only have 4hrs to complete the exam before the link expires. If you click it open to look at the exam and then close it, you have used it. You cannot take the exam and must reapply to take the exam paying the fees again. If you hit 4hrs and run out of time you must reapply and pay the testing fee again.
  5. The exam is open book so please use the State Reg.43 and Lake County OWTS regulations if needed. You can find these online at the top of this webpage.
  6. Once you submit the exam it can take up to 15 business day for it to be graded and final License to be emailed back to the email registered. Please be patience as COVID19 response has caused delays in grading and issuing licenses.

You must be licensed to install before you install or repair an OWTS. Contractor/Installer Licensing Testing - Any person engaged in the business of inspecting, installing, upgrading, constructing, chemically treating or renovating/repairing OWTS shall hold a valid Systems Contractor license issued by the Lake County Public Health Agency. Employees of a licensed Systems Contractor need not be individually licensed.

Do Your Part, Be Septic Smart!

SepticSmartProper septic system care and maintenance is vital to protecting public health and preserving valuable water resources. Nearly one quarter of all American households-more than 26 million homes-depend on septic systems to treat their wastewater.

Failure to maintain and service a home's septic system can lead to system back-ups and overflows, which can result in costly repairs, polluted local waterways and risks to public health and the environment. Many septic system failures occur during the winter holiday season.

Taking a few small, simple steps to care for their home's septic system, homeowners can help protect the health of their community and their local waterways, while preventing potentially costly repairs to their septic system that can occur if the system is not properly maintained.

Homeowners can do their part by following these SepticSmart tips:

  • Homeowners should have their system inspected every three years by a licensed contractor and have their tank pumped when necessary, generally every three to five years.
  • Avoid pouring fats, grease, and solids down the drain, which can clog a system's pipes and drainfield.
  • Ask guests to only to put things in the drain or toilet that belong there. Coffee grounds, dental floss, disposable diapers and wipes, feminine hygiene products, cigarette butts and cat litter can all clog and potentially damage septic systems.
  • Be water efficient and spread out water use. Consider fixing plumbing leaks and installing faucet aerators and water-efficient products that bear the EPA WaterSense label, and spread out laundry and dishwasher loads throughout the day. Too much water at once can overload a system if it hasn't been pumped recently. Remind guests not to park or drive on a system's drainfield, where the vehicle's weight could damage buried pipes or disrupt underground flow.

EPA's SepticSmart program encourages proper septic system care and maintenance all year long, helping to educate homeowners about the need for periodic septic system maintenance and proper daily system use. In addition to helping educate homeowners, SepticSmart also serves as an online resource for industry practitioners, local governments, and community organizations, providing access to tools to help educate their clients and residents.

Please visit the EPA's SepticSmart Program for more information.

For more information on how to find WaterSense Products in your area.