Septic System Requirements
Minor Home Repairs/ Alterations That Require a Building Permit:
Includes roof repairs, window replacement, chimney repair, etc. Shall not require system evaluation.
Minor Additions:
Includes decks, above ground swimming pools, movable sheds, and additions of less than 50 sq. ft. shall require an approved Disposal System Construction Permit with an approved As-built on file with the Board of Health. Or, a system assessment by a Title 5 inspector to determine the location of all system components, including reserve area, in order to ensure that the proposed construction will not be placed upon any of the system components. (This is not a Title 5 Inspection.) *At the discretion of the Health Agent, an approved passing Title 5 Inspection Report may be required.
Major Additions that Do Not Increase Flow:
Includes attached and detached garages, enclosed porches, in-ground swimming pools, and additions greater than 50 sq. ft. that do not increase flow. Shall require an approved Disposal Works Construction Permit with an Engineered Plan and an approved as-built. Must have at a minimum a septic tank, distribution box, one or more trenches, beds, fields, pits, galleries, or chambers, and a reserve area. Cesspools will constitute an automatic upgrade. A valid Title 5 Inspection or Certificate of Compliance will be required.
Major Additions that Increase Flow:
Increase of bedroom count. Shall require an approved Disposal Works Construction Permit with an Engineered Plan and an approved As-built on file with the Board of Health. Must have at a minimum a septic tank, distribution box, one or more trenches, beds, fields, pits, galleries, or chambers, and a reserve area. Cesspools will constitute an automatic upgrade. Existing approved design flow shall be used to determine potential number of bedrooms. Systems with a leaching area designed for 1000 gallons shall be approved for a maximum of 5 bedrooms with a 1500 gallon septic tank, 4 bedrooms with a 1000 gallon tank.* A valid Title 5 Inspection or Certificate of Compliance will be required. *Only if no variances were required for the original permit and the Conservation Agent concurs that there are no wetlands within 150’ of the existing system.
Bedroom Policy:
Any unfinished room, libraries, studies, studios, or other easily converted rooms, which provide privacy, shall be considered bedrooms for the purpose of design flow. These rooms shall consist of all of the following:
- Floor space of no less than 70 square feet;
- For new construction, a ceiling height of no less than 7’3”;
- For existing houses, a ceiling height of no less than 7’;
- An electrical service and ventilation; and
- At least one window.
Living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, halls, bathrooms, unfinished cellars and unheated storage areas over garages are not considered bedrooms. Where the total number of rooms exceeds eight, not including bathrooms, hallways, unfinished cellars and unheated storage areas, the number of bedrooms presumed shall be calculated by dividing the total number of rooms by two then rounding down to the next lowest whole number.