On-site Septic Systems
The Environmental Staff ensures that residential and commercial property owners in La Porte County follow all applicable regulations and procedures when seeking to obtain a permit for an on-site septic system.
Permitting Procedures for Commercial Properties
- Obtain a soil report for the site, which must be prepared by a Registered Soil Scientist
- Submit plans to the Plan Review Section of the Indiana State Department of Health’s (ISDH) Sanitary Engineering Web Site
- After approval, ISDH will in most cases send it back to local authorities to conduct the permitting and inspection process. Please fill out an application for a commercial on-site septic system.
- 410 IAC 6-10 Commercial Onsite wastewater disposal, and design requirements are outlined in Bulletin S.E. 13
- Commercial Septic Application
- Procedure for Septic Permit
Permitting Procedures for the New Construction of Residential Properties
- A septic permit for the construction of a new home in La Porte County MUST be obtained before a building permit can be issued. In general, this is a two-step process. The first step in this process is to obtain a soil report for the site (which must be prepared by a Registered Soil Scientist), and submit it to LPCHD along with an application . After this information is received, the Environmental Staff will determine the type 2. Specification sheet is issued by the LPCHD
- Submit scaled site plan including topography, home site, septic system, site address, floor plan, tax identification number, etc.
- LPCHD will conduct an on-site plan review
All of the requirements for obtaining a septic permit in La Porte County are outlined in the Procedure for Septic Permit. Please review these procedures before starting the permitting process. It should be noted that all residential septic systems in La Porte County are designed, installed, and inspected in accordance with ISDH Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3 Residential Onsite Sewage Systems.
Permitting Procedures for Existing Homes
Septic systems are not a permanent means of wastewater disposal. Even in the sandiest of soils, the ground in the area of an existing septic field acts like a sponge, slowly accepting wastewater over the years, until the ground becomes saturated and will no longer accept any more wastewater. This either causes wastewater back up into the house, or to leach out on top of the ground. It is at this time that a “repair” is necessary. And by “repair”, that usually means the installation of a new septic field on the property, and not necessarily the repair of the existing septic field. If an existing field is to be replaced due to a malfunction, the first step in obtaining a “repair” permit is to submit an application to LPCHD. Call and schedule a Registered Soil Scientist to perform a soil boring on the property. To find out about the remaining “repair” permitting process, please refer to the Procedure of Issuance of On-Site Sewage System Permits. All residential “repair” septic systems in La Porte County are designed, installed, and inspected in accordance with ISDH Rule 410 IAC 6-8.3.
Permitting Procedures for Approval to Tie-In to an Existing Septic System
Let’s say you live in a mobile home on your property, and want to remove the mobile home and build a new home. Or, unfortunately, a house may burn down and a new one needs to be built on the site. It is possible to utilize the existing septic field, however there are some requirements. The existing size of the septic field and tank would need to be large enough to accommodate the new house, and it would also need to meet current regulations regarding septic system placement. Please call LPCHD for further information on this topic.
Please note that these are just general lists and LPCHD does not endorse any one particular company.
*The following lists are provided for convenience only. As there is no current registration requirements for Installers or Inspectors, the information provided may be incomplete or not up to date.
- I’m thinking of remodeling my home, how will this affect my existing septic system?
If you are planning on remodeling your home, please keep in mind that all foundations must be located at least 10′ from the septic system. Also, please keep in mind that one of the size requirements of a septic system is based upon the number of bedrooms in your home and NOT the number of bathrooms in the home or the number of people living in the home. If you currently live in a three bedroom home and want to add a fourth bedroom, you may need to upgrade the existing septic system.
- What do you NOT need a permit for?
A permit is NOT required for the following:
- pumping a septic tank
- repairing/unclogging the sewer line between the house and the septic tank
- repairing/unclogging the sewer line between the septic tank and the distribution box
- leveling the distribution box if it has become unlevel
- How often should my septic tank be pumped?
As a general guideline, septic tanks should be pumped every three to five years.
- I’m going to build a shed/swimming pool/pole barn on my property. How will this affect my septic system?
Unless you are going to install plumbing in your pole barn, these types of things will not have any affect on your septic system. However, ALL foundations must be located at least ten feet from the septic field.
- I don’t know where my septic field is located. Can LPCHD help me to find it?
In general, LPCHD has records of septic drawings from July 1979 to present.