In San Bernardino County, Land Use Services issues the building permit for a septic system and Environmental Health Services (EHS) reviews percolation reports and certain operating permits. Inside a city, the city handles new and replacement systems.
San Bernardino County's Information Bulletin IB-00018 says a building permit from Land Use Services is required before a new septic system is installed or an existing one is replaced. Land Use Services reviews and permits the tank, leach lines, infiltrators and seepage pits for single-family homes.
EHS reviews and approves percolation test reports, which set the design rate for the system. Since January 22, 2024, applications for onsite wastewater treatment system design review and sewage holding tanks go to Land Use Services through the county's EZOP system. Operating permits for Designated Maintenance Areas and for alternative treatment systems still go directly to EHS.
Yes. The county's FAQ says EHS does not review new or replacement systems in incorporated cities, and that each city is responsible. That applies from May 13, 2018. If your home is inside a city or town such as Hesperia, Victorville or Apple Valley, start with that city's building department. If your property is outside city limits, the county process applies.
A percolation test is required for new construction and whenever existing data cannot set a design rate for a replacement. Only certain professionals may run it: registered civil engineers, certified engineering geologists, geotechnical engineers, registered geologists and registered environmental health specialists.
Land Use Services also requires an onsite wastewater plot plan. It must show the owner, address and parcel number, the scope of work, the size of the septic tank, the number of bedrooms, the location of any seepage pit or leach lines, the 100 percent expansion area, wells and required setbacks.
The county FAQ is from 2018, so use it for background and confirm current forms and fees with the county.
Designated Maintenance Areas are areas without public sewers that the regional water board has identified as sensitive to septic contamination. EHS inspects systems there every other year, and a change of property ownership requires a new permit. Sewage holding tanks in the unincorporated county need EHS approval, an annual operating permit and an annual inspection.
Seepage pits are allowed where leach lines are not feasible and groundwater separation is met, with EHS review before the building permit application. IB-00018 says series or daisy-chain connections to seepage pits are not permitted, and seepage pits in mountain areas are prohibited by the County Code.
Talk to a licensed septic contractor or a qualified designer before you buy land, add a bedroom or replace a system, since the county reviews all three.
The county's 2018 FAQ says EHS does not certify private systems and is not involved in property transfers. It points owners to a qualified professional and the county's certification forms.
The Local Agency Management Program sets the minimum standards for septic systems in the county where no sewer is available. The county's version was approved in 2017 by the county and the regional water board, and it was implemented May 13, 2018.
Yes. Fees depend on project type. See the current fee schedule on the EHS website.
The 2018 FAQ says new lots must be at least one-half acre. Lots created in the High Desert before April 24, 1987 may also have a single-family residence with an approved percolation report.
High Desert Septic Pumping is a free referral service, not a contractor. Request a free quote from a local septic contractor.