Application for Septic or OWTS for new development or additional feasibility testing

New development feasibility testing

When submitting to obtain Septic/Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) approval from DEH for your proposed new development building project, please provide the following to [email protected]:

1. A completed OWTS Feasibility Application 
2. One (1) copy of site plan with proposed location(s) for Septic/OWTS to scale (1" = 20') 
3. Septic/OWTS Feasibility must be determined by completion of the following:
   1. Site assessment
   2. Soil analysis
   3. Percolation testing (completed by REHS, Professional Civil Engineer, or Professional Geologist)
   4. Approved water supply (well/public water)

All documents shall be submitted to [email protected] for processing or in-person at the DEH front counter. 

Once Septic/OWTS Feasibility is determined, a proposed Septic/OTWS design must be submitted for review. Submittal should include the following: 

1. A completed Plan Review Application
2. One (1) copy of the proposed Septic/OWTS design to scale (1” = 20’). 
   1. Plans/Design must comply with all items listed in the Onsite Systems Manual.  
   2. If secondary dwelling – location of existing septic tank and leachfield (As-built)

All design plans and documents shall be submitted to [email protected] for processing or in-person at the DEH front counter. 

Once all requirements have been completed and plans are ready for an approval stamp, digital copies will be stamped and provided to the Project Contact Person electronically. For paper plans, additional copies will need to be submitted to DEH for stamping. 

The DEH reviewed and approved plans will need to provided to the applicable jurisdiction’s Planning/Building Department for inclusion in the building packet. The Septic/OWTS Permit will be issued with the issuance of the building permit prior to the start of Septic/OWTS construction.

For City/Towns not under the jurisdiction of the County Planning/Building Department, request for a Septic/OWTS Construction Permit will need to be submitted to DEH along with a Construction Permit Application. 

Additional feasibility testing

For additional feasibility testing for an existing Septic/OWTS, please provide the following:

1. A completed OWTS Feasibility Application 
2. One (1) copy of site plan with proposed location(s) for Septic/OWTS to scale (1" = 20') 
3. Additional supporting documents as instructed by the DEH (e.g., pumpers report, etc.)

All documents shall be submitted to [email protected] for processing or in-person at the DEH front counter. 

Note: All applicable fees must be paid in full prior to any services provided by DEH (inspections, plan reviews, approvals, etc.). Additional fees and requirements may apply. Projects/Submittals are reviewed in the order received.  Please refer to the current DEH Fee Schedule for more information.

DEH will not begin any work until all the items noted above and payment are received.

Please forward all large/over-sized sitemaps and necessary documents to the following:

County of Santa Clara – DEH
RE: (Project number, once assigned)
1555 Berger Drive #300
San Jose, CA  95112