Septic Permits

Under Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code, a permit is required to install a new septic system or replacement an existing one. To begin, complete the permit application form, provide a scale drawing of the proposed work, and provide a cross-sectional drawing with proposed elevations.

Under Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code, a permit is required to replace a septic tank or a septic bed when it reaches the end of its serviceable life. This also applies when increasing the capacity of the existing septic tank. To begin, complete the permit application form.

• Application for a Sewage System Maintenance Inspection (commonly used for minor variance and zoning inspections, home renovations or prior to sale/purchase of a property with a sewage system)
• Fee Schedule
• File Search – Information on Previous Installation of Septic System (for records dating back to 1972)
• Transfer of Sewage System to New Owner (This form is used when the owners name has changed)
• Information on wells is stored by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. You can access it through their website if your well information was submitted.
• Well Record Verification (This is to confirm location and casing depth of an existing well)
• Authorization for an Application for a Sewage System Permit by a Person Other Than The Legal Owner (This form is required if a third party other than the owner is applying for the permit i.e. sewage installer, engineer or agent)
• As Constructed Plan and Backfill Notification Form 
• Maintenance Agreement Class 5 Sewage System (Holding Tank)

Class 1 – A chemical toilet, an incinerating toilet, a recirculating toilet, a self-contained portable toilet and all forms of privy including a portable privy, an earth pit privy, a pail privy, a privy vault and a composting toilet system.

Required clearance distances for Class 1 - Privies

Class 2 – A class 2 sewage system can only be used for the treatment and disposal of greywater (non-human body waste) i.e., kitchen sink wastes, bathtubs, washing machines, etc. This type of system is ONLY adequate to treat small amounts of greywater (less than 1000 litres per day) for premises such as cottages and hunt camps, etc.

Class 3 – a cesspool.

Class 4 – The most common type of sewage system, which is used to service single-family dwellings, multiple units, and commercial premises is Class 4. It is typically composed of a two-compartment septic tank and a leaching bed. The septic tank collects the raw sewage and helps in settling and digestion. The liquids then flow out to the tile bed where they are further treated as they pass through the soil.

Class 5 – a system which requires or uses a holding tank for the retention of hauled sewage at the site where it is produced prior to its collection by a hauled sewage system.