Water & Wastewater Program

 

Septic System Permits

Septic system permits are required for the installation, repair or replacement of individual or commercial sewage disposal systems with a wastewater flow of less than 2,000 gallons per day. Permits are required to assure construction is consistent with regulations for the safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from unsanitary and unhealthy sewage disposal. If your system will generate a wastewater flow greater than 2,000 gallons per day, please contact the UIC Program.

Application Package Septic Tanks used in WY Chamber Equivalent Areas

Delegated County Programs Non-Delegated County Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

When is a permit required?
-For all new construction where a septic tank and leachfield are needed.
-For changes  or additions to existing buildings to ensure that the septic system capacity is adequate
-For any major repair or replacement of a septic system.

Who issues my permit?
In some counties DEQ administers the small wastewater program, while in other counties the County government administers the program as the agent for DEQ. Find out if your County is delegated. If your County is not delegated, DEQ issues your septic system permit and the application package must be submitted to the appropriate Water Quality Division District.

What is the DEQ permitting process?

  1. Obtain a copy of the Conventional Septic System Application Package for Permit to Construct. A copy may be available at your local County office.

  2. Complete the Conventional Septic System Application Package for Permit to Construct. NOTE: You cannot save a copy of the application to your computer. The application is designed so that you can fill in your information and then print a copy of the application. Please complete the information and then print the form. Caution: Once you close the webpage that the application is on, the information you typed is erased.

  3. Submit the completed and signed application package to the appropriate DEQ office for review with two (2) additional copies.

  4. A tracking number will be assigned to your application. DEQ will review your proposed septic system design to determine if the proposed system is in accordance with the Wyoming Water Quality Rules and Regulations (WQRR), Chapter 11, Part D: Septic Tank and/or Soil Absorption Systems.

  5. Provided the proposed design complies with the WQRR, a permit will be issued and a copy of the permit is mailed to the applicant. Once the permit is received, the construction phase may begin. NOTE: the construction phase MAY NOT begin until a valid construction permit has been issued by DEQ. Contractors should only work off of approved plans. Plans that are rejected are returned with a letter. The permit application may be revised or corrected and resubmitted to DEQ for review.

  6. Some Counties require an inspection of the installed septic system prior to backfill. Please contact your County.

  7. Notice of completion of the septic system is required. Please complete the Certificate of Completion and submit to the appropriate DEQ office.

  8. If you ever sell your property, please complete the Transfer of Ownership form so you are no longer responsible for the septic system.

How long does my permit last?
Septic system permits are typically valid for 5 years after approval, unless otherwise stated in your permit.

Are there any fees?
 DEQ does not charge a fee for a septic system permit. However, some Counties charge a fee for the septic system permit and/or inspection. Please contact your County to determine if a fee is required.

Is an inspection required?
 DEQ does not require inspections of septic systems. However, the County may require an inspection prior to backfill. Please contact your County to determine if an inspection is required.

Are there alternatives to a conventional septic system?
The selection of the type of disposal system depends upon site conditions such as terrain, lot layout, soil percolation rates, seasonal high groundwater levels, and subsurface geology.
-If your site conditions are hilly such that the bottom of the disposal area cannot be kept level, then a side hill type of disposal field layout may be desirable and a separate side-hill handout is available.
-If the seasonal high groundwater level, bedrock, or an impervious clay layer is within four feet of the bottom of the proposed leachfield, then a mounded, partially mounded, non-discharging pond, or evapotranspiration system may be required. Since these types of facilities are more difficult to design and construct, separate handouts have been prepared for each and are available upon request.
-A pumping system may sometimes be necessary to pump the sewage uphill from the house or septic tank to the leachfield and a separate handout is available to assist you.
-DEQ will allow the permitting and installation of Presby AES Systems if Policy 13.41.8 is followed.

Should I install a trench or bed system?
 The standard trench or bed type disposal system can be used under most conditions. A trench system tends to require less earthwork and leach field materials than a bed system. However, a bed system is more compact and may be desirable in situations where land area is limited. Trench or bed systems can be constructed with either perforated pipe and washed rock, or manufactured chambers.

Last Updated: April 24, 2012

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