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Application for upgrade of Septic or OWTS (LU72/LU73/LU74)

​When submitting for an upgrade of a Septic/Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) to accommodate for your proposed building project, please provide the following:

  1. A completed Land Use Service Application
  2. One (1) copy of site plans to scale (1” = 20’). Plans must include:
    1. Proposed Septic/OWTS upgrades as required
    2. Location of existing septic tank and leachfield (As-built)
    3. Scope of proposed building project
    4. Minimum setbacks as required on page 3.11 and 3.12 of the Onsite Systems Manual
    5. Any additional requirements, as detailed in the Onsite Systems Manual
  3. One (1) copy of existing and proposed floor plans (if applicable)
  4. Additional soil testing may be required to determine minimum sizing and setbacks of Septic/OWTS by completion of one or more of the following:
    1. Site assessment
    2. Soil analysis
    3. Percolation testing (completed by REHS, Professional Civil Engineer, or Professional Geologist)
  5. Current (within last 3 years) Septic Pumper’s Report including 30-minute water test if existing Septic/OWTS is to be utilized
  6. Once all requirements have been completed and plans are ready for an approval stamp, additional copies (4) will need to be submitted.

Three (3) stamped copies are to be picked up and taken to the applicable jurisdiction’s Planning/Building Department for inclusion in the building packet.

Note: An onsite inspection may be scheduled for verification of minimum requirements. Additional fees and requirements may apply. All applicable fees must be paid in full prior to any services provided by DEH (inspections, plan reviews, approvals, etc.). Projects/Submittals are reviewed in the order received - with the exception of septic system failures. Please refer to the current DEH Fee Schedule for more information.

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

Image of a property with a septic treatment system being installed in the backyard.

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