Linn County Health Services

Septic Systems

House with septic field

Linn County Environmental Health provides septic site approvals, plan reviews, permits and inspections for new systems and changes in use of existing systems. Uses include residential, commercial, and public facilities. We also provide information and technical assistance to contractors, installers and the general public.

We Serve Linn County Residents by:

  • Maintaining records
  • Providing site approvals, plan reviews, permits and inspections of new and existing systems for residential and commercial facilities
  • Providing information on septic system operation and maintenance
  • Providing information for permit applicants, installers, and contractors

Apply for a Permit

Determine the type of application you need to complete.

Septic Permits

Request a Pre-cover Inspection

Learn how to request an inspection prior to covering a septic system.

Inspections

Find a Loan

Need funding for a septic system? Here are a few options.

Loans

Post-Wildfire Septic Information

Onsite wastewater systems that have been damaged during a fire may pose a safety risk.

Wildfire Info

Scroll down for more septic system resources, including documents and forms.

Septic System Resources

Create a Plot Plan

Plot plans for applications can be created at the Environmental Health Office Web App. You can also request a plot plan of your property by emailing LinnEH@co.linn.or.us.

To create your plot plan:

  1. Search for your lot by entering your address, map PIN or tax account number into the search box, or by zooming in on the area of interest
  2. Use the layer list to turn on or off various layers such as aerial photos, zoning, elevation, etc.
  3. Use the drawing tools to add features to your map (test pits, wells, septic location, proposed dwelling, etc.)
  4. Print your map. You can create a pdf of your map to upload with your application, or print your map to bring into the office

Search Archived Permits

Start by going to the Linn County Environmental Health web search application. 

A specific property can be searched for by Address, PIN (Example: 11S03W07AD02100), or, Tax Account #. Once the property is found, click the ‘Zoom to’ link. If the property is shaded blue, click anywhere on the property. Click ‘Show available permit images’ to see the available records for the property.

You may also zoom into an area within the County by either double clicking the area of interest (3 to 4 times to zoom into the tax lot layer), or by using the zoom (+/-) buttons in the upper left corner of the map. You may click and drag the map at any point to move to a different location. If records exist for a property, the property is shaded blue. Click on the lot of interest to view available records for the property.

Find a Licensed Installer

Any person (except for the property owner) involved with the installation or construction of an on-site system or involved with the grading, excavation or earth-moving work associated with an on-site system must be licensed and bonded as an Installer by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Search the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) database for actively licensed installers by County.

Septic System Maintenance

Property owners are responsible for the operation and maintenance of their septic systems. A properly designed, constructed, and maintained onsite system can provide years of trouble free service. The following links may provide you with useful information on the care of your system.

Alternative Treatment Technology, Sand Filters, and Pressurized Distribution

If your system is an Alternative Treatment Technology, a commercial system Sand Filter, Re-circulating Gravel Filter, or Pressurized Distribution System, you are required to maintain a service contract with a Certified Service Provider for the life of the system.

Additional Resources:

Oregon Septic Smart Website

State of Oregon Rules & Regulations

The requirements governing the siting and construction, alteration, repair, operation, and maintenance of onsite wastewater treatment systems are established in Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR) 340-71 and 340-73 and Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 454 and 468B.

Septic System Documents & Forms