{"id":11379,"date":"2023-02-22T19:24:02","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T19:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=11379"},"modified":"2023-02-26T22:27:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-26T22:27:55","slug":"the-very-first-step-septic-approval","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/the-very-first-step-septic-approval\/","title":{"rendered":"The VERY First Step: Septic Approval"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It doesn\u2019t matter whether you are going to build a house from scratch, buy a manufactured home or a pre-fab or modular home, no matter what size it is, you have to worry about sewage. If city sewage hookups are available, it\u2019s easy. But if not, you really should get approval for a septic system BEFORE you buy land. At least have a contingency contract that if a septic system cannot be located on the property, the purchase can be canceled.<\/p>\n<p>You can\u2019t get any kind of building permit without showing them your Septic System Permit.<br \/>\nI live in North Carolina and these are the rules that apply to me. But, the rules where you live are probably about the same.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The Commission for Health Services has compiled rules and regulations addressing the placement, design, installation, and maintenance of subsurface ground absorption sewage disposal systems. The Environmental Health Section of the Department of Public Health acts as authorized agents of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and ensures that these rules and regulations are enforced and the public\u2019s health is protected.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hendersoncountync.gov\/health\/page\/septic-program\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.hendersoncountync.gov\/health\/page\/septic-program<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>First, submit an Application for Permits for Sewage Disposal Systems at the Environmental Health Offices near you. You may be able to apply online.<\/p>\n<p>Once you pay the application fee, an Environmental Health Specialist will make a site evaluation.<\/p>\n<p>This is what they will be looking for;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Topography and landscape position<br \/>\nThe inspector will be looking at where you want to put the septic system relative to the slope of the land to determine the drainage patterns. You don\u2019t want rainwater or flood water filling up your septic tank.<br \/>\nA steep slope won\u2019t give even the best soil a chance to percolate and treat wastewater before it reaches the groundwater system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11383\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11383\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-11383\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/perc_test.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11383\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A perc (or perk) percolation test measures the rate at which water moves out of the hole and into the soil.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Soil characteristics<br \/>\nThe soil in the drainfield area of your septic system acts as a filter.<br \/>\nA perc test is one way to find out whether the soil is right to filter effluent while allowing it to seep through.<\/li>\n<li>Soil wetness<br \/>\nIf the soil is too wet, the septic system won\u2019t work. The drain field has to be able to drain. If it\u2019s already wet, it won\u2019t drain. This is another thing the perc test finds.<\/li>\n<li>Soil depth<br \/>\nA conventional septic system has trenches around three feet deep. If the soil is not that deep, if you dig down and hit solid rock, you have a problem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_11384\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-11384\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11384 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/horizons.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-11384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Soil is made up of horizons or horizontal layers. Some layers are more permeable than others. <br \/>Photo by John A. Kelley, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>Restrictive horizons<br \/>\nSoil is made up of horizons or horizontal layers. A restrictive horizon is a layer of soil that water or sewage cannot flow through.<\/li>\n<li>Available space<br \/>\nA septic system will need at least 1\/4 to 1\/3 of an acre of acceptable soil as a drain field.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are possible work-arounds if a traditional septic system won\u2019t work, but they are more expensive and may need continual maintenance.*<\/p>\n<p>Once your land has been evaluated, if it is approved you will be issued an Authorization to Construct a Subsurface Sewage Disposal System Permit. This is what you take to the County Inspections Department to get a building permit.<\/p>\n<p>The septic system has to be constructed by a Certified Septic Installer contractor. You can\u2019t just dig it yourself. Where I live contractors are certified by the North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board. You can find a contractor certified for where you live by searching for the Onsite Wastewater Contractor Inspector Certification Board for where you live.<\/p>\n<p>Once the septic system is installed, you have to pass inspections to get a Certificate of Occupancy to move into your new home. The contractor should handle this part for you.<\/p>\n<p>* It is doable. My aunt put in an Aerobic Treatment Unit. It was like running her own sewage plant just for her house. There was a a pre-treatment tank to add nutrients to keep the bacteria healthy and working, then a treatment tank with an aerobic system to give the bacteria enough oxygen to keep up, then a final tank for disinfection to make sure nothing dangerous got out. She had to test and pay for inspections regularly. She fell in love with a piece of land right on the water and this was her only option.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">More Information: <a href=\"https:\/\/content.ces.ncsu.edu\/investigate-before-you-invest\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">NC State Extension: Investigate Before You Invest<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Featured Photo of septic system drain field on steep slope by Soil Science<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It doesn\u2019t matter whether you are going to build a house from scratch, buy a manufactured home or a pre-fab or modular home, no matter what size it is, you have to worry about sewage. If city sewage hookups are available, it\u2019s easy. But if&nbsp;<a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/the-very-first-step-septic-approval\/\">&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11381,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11379","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/featured-septic_system.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11389,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2023\/02\/where-can-i-put-a-tiny-house-and-what-will-it-cost\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":0},"title":"Where Can I Put a Tiny House and What Will It Cost?","author":"Carla","date":"February 27, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"If you are looking for land to build on, or planning to build on land you or your family already own, you need to be sure of the zoning. Even if you checked before, make sure that the zoning hasn\u2019t changed. There are also costs to have water and sewer.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Research&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Research","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/research\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Zoning: Where Can I Put a Tiny House?","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/featured-tiny_house_zoning-b.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/featured-tiny_house_zoning-b.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/featured-tiny_house_zoning-b.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/featured-tiny_house_zoning-b.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":922,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/research-can-i-put-a-tiny-house-on-my-land\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":1},"title":"Research: Can I put a tiny house on my land?","author":"Carla","date":"April 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Whether you are going to put in a tiny house, small modular, log cabin, container home, granny flat or a little guest house, the first step is to see what your zoning is. We are zoned R-10. These are our rules. Your rules could be anything, so don\u2019t assume any\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;ADUs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"ADUs","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/adus\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Log Cabin, built from a Kit in the Snow","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/featured_image-cabin-7.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/featured_image-cabin-7.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/featured_image-cabin-7.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/featured_image-cabin-7.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/featured_image-cabin-7.jpg?fit=1200%2C632&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9749,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/dog-septic-tank\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":2},"title":"Dog Septic Tank","author":"Carla","date":"August 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"We don\u2019t have to let the dog in or out. Geordie can let himself out through the doggie door, run down the steps Cliff added to the porch and take care of necessary business in his own yard. But then we have to take care of it. They should make\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Projects&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Projects","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/projects\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Dog Septic Tank","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-dog_septic_tank.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-dog_septic_tank.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-dog_septic_tank.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-dog_septic_tank.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16832,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2026\/04\/step-by-step-buying-land-and-building-our-house\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":3},"title":"Step-by-Step Buying Land and Building Our House","author":"Carla","date":"April 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"There is more to buying land and building a house than you might think. Financing Be prepared to make a deposit. A land loan may require up to 50% down. The first step is making sure you have access to money. It is a waste of time to shop for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Our New House&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Our New House","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/new-house\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured_image-our_house.jpg?fit=1140%2C607&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured_image-our_house.jpg?fit=1140%2C607&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured_image-our_house.jpg?fit=1140%2C607&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured_image-our_house.jpg?fit=1140%2C607&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/featured_image-our_house.jpg?fit=1140%2C607&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9657,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/small-homes-are-just-the-right-size\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":4},"title":"Small Homes are Just the Right Size","author":"Carla","date":"July 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I just picked up a 2017 issue of Mother Earth News at our neighborhood book exchange. It had a cover article Small Homes are Just the Right Size. These homeowners downsized their lives to inhabit hand-built spaces that are easier and cheaper to maintain. The article is by Lloyd Kahn.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inspiration&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/inspiration\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Mother Earth News December 2017","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/featured-small_homes.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9778,"url":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2021\/08\/doggie-doo-drain-dog-waste-sewer-line-funnel-attachment\/","url_meta":{"origin":11379,"position":5},"title":"Dog Waste Sewer Line Funnel Attachment","author":"Carla","date":"August 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"I was looking for dog poo management. When I saw the Doggie Doo Drain Dog Waste Sewer Line Attachment, I clicked Buy Now. It is simple and ingenious. It is just a funnel so that you can put the dog poo directly into the sewer line using the sewer clean-out.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Projects&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Projects","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/category\/projects\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Doggie Doo Drain Dog Waste Sewer Line Attachment","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-Doggie-Doo-Drain-Dog-Waste-Sewer-Line-Attachment.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-Doggie-Doo-Drain-Dog-Waste-Sewer-Line-Attachment.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-Doggie-Doo-Drain-Dog-Waste-Sewer-Line-Attachment.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/featured-Doggie-Doo-Drain-Dog-Waste-Sewer-Line-Attachment.jpg?fit=810%2C431&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11379","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11379"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11379\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11388,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11379\/revisions\/11388"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11381"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11379"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11379"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11379"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}