Septic Systems
| RECENT UPDATES |
The LAMP provides alternative standards than those set by the State Water Resources Control Board’s Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy and must still achieve the same water quality and public health protections.
The County Board of Supervisors approved the updated onsite wastewater treatment system (septic systems) ordinance on September 11, 2024, which went into effect on October 11, 2024
The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board unanimously
approved Resolution R9-2024-0130 for San Diego County’s
2025 LAMP on November 13, 2024, and it will go into effect on
February 1, 2025.
In preparation of the roll out
the new LAMP, the Department of Environmental Health & Quality,
Land Use Program held two separate meetings open to all stakeholders
on December 11, 2024 and January 10, 2025. These meetings provided
highlights to the 2025 LAMP and information on new and/or updated
program procedures and forms. Thank you to all that participated and
provided valuable feedback. Your continued participation and support
of our local program will ensure a successful rollout of the 2025 LAMP.
Additionally, you can find a copy of the final 2025 LAMP, summary of changes and a summary of all comments received with responses by clicking the links below:
Final 2025 LAMP - Effective February 1, 2025
(Updated 1/13/2025)
Summary of final
changes - Updated 11/13/2024 to reflect RWQCB approval
Summary of comments
received - Updated 7/29/2024 with recent feedback
Summary of comments
received after BOS approval - Uploaded 10/04/2024
If you have any questions regarding the LAMP, contact Linda Turkatte
at Linda.Turkatte@sdcounty.ca.gov or
LWQDduty@sdcounty.ca.gov.
Current Version: Local Agency Management Program
Onsite
Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) Policy
The purpose of regulating the design, installation, and maintenance
of onsite wastewater treatment systems (or, septic systems) is
to:
- Ensure that these systems provide a safe and reliable means of wastewater treatment and disposal for properties not served by a sewer system
- Prevent the contamination of groundwater from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent the contamination of surface water from improperly designed onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Prevent premature failure of onsite wastewater treatment systems
Program Services | Useful Information | Types of Systems
- Design review of new onsite wastewater treatment systems and Graywater Systems
- Design review of repairs and modifications to existing on-site wastewater treatment systems
- Installation inspections of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Maintain design records for properties using onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Respond to citizen complaints of failing onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide coordinated review with other agencies for projects that require CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) or involve the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems
- Provide review of discretionary land development projects that may involve DEHQ related permitting issues
Please note that a Project Issue Resolution Conference is available to applicants for discretionary land development projects processed through the County's Planning & Development Services:
Project Issue Resolution Conference
For land development projects processed through Planning & Development Services, a Project Issue Resolution (PIR) Conference is a meeting that includes an applicant, our Executive Management team, and County Project staff to discuss issues and identify solutions that were not able to be resolved with a County Project Manager due to interpretations of a code or other unique circumstances related to a project. The County is committed to helping customers navigate the land use permit process and ensuring customer satisfaction. The County recognizes land development can be complex and each project is unique. The goal of the PIR process is to help facilitate processing of each permit application in an efficient and timely manner by elevating technical project issues to our Executive Management team. For more information, please see PDS Page.
Currently, DEHQ is approving conventional system and supplemental treatment systems:
- Septic tanks must have IAPMO approval and be approved for use by DEHQ
- Leach lines can be constructed with either rock and pipe or other approved materials that would include plastic chambers
- Horizontal seepage pits are restricted to sites with uniform soil conditions and average percolation rates not exceeding 30 minutes per inch
- Vertical seepage pits are restricted to coastal sedimentary basins that have degraded groundwater caused by salt water intrusion
- Supplemental treatment systems must include percolation testing and a design from a licensed OWTS Professional
- Any site with slopes that exceed 25% must include with the layout a slope stability report or statement from a licensed civil engineer or geologist
| APPLICATIONS |
On-Site Wastewater Treatment System Layout Application Checklist
Septic Repair Application and Authorization
Health Care Trailer Wastewater Discharge Application
Please also complete Planning and Development Services' (PDS) Temporary Health Care Trailer form, and all requirements with PDS.
Sewage Hauler Permit Application
| RESOURCES |
LAMP 5-Year Evaluation Report (January 2022)
Groundwater Separation Requirements
San Diego County Code: Onsite Wastewater System Ordinance
Senate Bill 9 (SB-9) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Guidance
Septic Pumper Truck Inventory Form
Septic Pumping Rebate Program (DPW)
EPA Homeowner's Guide to Septic Systems - (Spanish- Guía del dueño de hogar para sistemas sépticos)
ADU and Second Dwellings Facts
California ELAP Certified Laboratories
| DOCUMENTS LIBRARY |
Scanned records for closed Site Assessment and Mitigation Program cases, Monitoring Well Program and Water Well Program permits, Land Use Program records including septic and greywater systems, boundary adjustments, maps and discretionary projects, Mobile Home Parks Program, and Recycled Water Program plans and inspections are now available online through the Environmental Health Document Library.
If you were not able to find records online please directly submit your request to the (PRRC) and select Department of Environmental Health and Quality - Food, Water and Housing Division (FWHD) to ensure a faster review and processing time.
Questions?
(858) 565-5173 (Duty Desk)
(858) 694-2553 (Septic Inspection Line)
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