How Do I Apply for a Permit?
All applications for onsite sewage systems and/or private wells must be accompanied by supporting work from a private sector consultant who is properly licensed to do such work through the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR). Only owners that submit a petition for services and meet i) means testing requirements (household income does not exceed 100% of federal poverty guidelines), or ii) a hardship contained in the Virginia Department of Health’s Hardship Guidelines, will be eligible to receive evaluation and design services from the Virginia Department of Health. For help finding a private sector designer visit Service Provider Website.
Once you have a supporting work from a licensed private sector consultant, please submit your completed application form, applicable fee along with a plat of the property and a site sketch to your local health department. The site sketch should show your property lines, actual and/or proposed buildings and the desired location of your well and/or sewage system.
What is the Status of My Permit Application
To view the status of your permit application, please follow this link.
How Do I Request my Property Records?
For a copy of your property records, please submit a request to your county's health department.
Helpful Resources
A typical onsite sewage system, or septic system, is made up of several basic components: a conveyance line, a septic tank, distribution box, and a drainfield. Each component serves a unique purpose and helps to accomplish the primary goal of the onsite sewage system: to safely disperse wastewater away from a residence to help protect human and environmental health. Learn more.
VDH policies, know as GMPs, may be found by visiting this link.
The Review Board shall hear all administrative appeals of denials of onsite sewage disposal system permits and appeals of refusals of indemnification requests filed pursuant to § 32.1-164.1:01, and refusals of betterment loan eligibility letters pursuant to § 32.1-164.1:2, and render its decision on any such appeal, which decision shall be the final administrative decision. Proceedings of the Review Board and appeals of its decisions shall be governed by the provisions of Chapter 40 (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.) of Title 2.2. In addition to the authority to render a final administrative decision, the Review Board, in its discretion, may develop recommendations for alternative solutions to the conditions resulting in denial of the permit or refusal to indemnify and remand the case to the Department of Health for reconsideration. Learn more.
VDH does not endorse or recommend any particular septic or private well service provider, or laboratory. This list and map is based only on those service providers who have shared their contact information with the agency (in the case of water testing labs, the map shows laboratories accredited by the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services to conduct testing for total coliform). The omission of a service provider from the listing is not a statement of unsuitability. VDH also does not guarantee the work or license status of any listed provider. It is recommended that you view the Department of Professional and Occupations Regulation (DPOR) website, www.dpor.virginia.gov, to verify that a service provider is properly licensed in accordance with state law. To search all licensed OSE’s, PE’s, septic system installers, and well drillers please visit the DPOR website.
Please note - Contractors working in Fauquier County are required to hold both a State and Local license. A list of Fauquier licensed onsite contractors may be found here.
Owning a home served by an onsite sewage (septic) system comes with certain owner responsibilities. Most of these are common sense and in keeping with the maintenance of other household systems such as electrical, heating and cooling components, appliances, roofs, and so forth. Other responsibilities will be associated with operating permits and applicable laws. Let’s walk through it.
Find a list of known onsite and well financial resources on our agency website.
Real Estate FAQs
The Virginia Department of Health does not require activities in conjunction with the buying or selling of property with septic systems. However, during real estate transactions involving properties with septic systems, questions often arise from buyers, sellers, and lenders. Learn more.
If what you need was not listed, click here for a full list of VDH web pages.
