A completed Soil Profile Analysis application and the current fee must be submitted by the lot owner or their authorized representative to start the permit process.  Applicable fees can be found on the Forms and Fees page.

Once the application and fee have been submitted, the soil profile analysis is performed by an Environmental Health Specialist on each lot prior to the design and construction of the private sewage treatment system. The purpose of the analysis is to determine the suitability of the soil for absorption and treatment of the effluent.

The soil is analyzed to a depth of five feet. The properties of the soil, such as texture and structure, are determined as well as the depth of ground water, seasonal water table or bedrock.

A completed application, along with the fee, must be submitted by the lot owner or authorized representative before the analysis can be scheduled. The applicant is responsible for hiring a backhoe operator who will schedule the time of the analysis with the Environment Division and meet the environmental health specialist at the site.

It is recommended that the homeowner and/or builder attend the meeting on site. The backhoe operator will dig as many pits as necessary, in appropriate locations, in order to find the best soil conditions on the existing lot. Soil samples are obtained from the pits for analysis and future reference, and the pits are backfilled by the backhoe operator.

The applicant will receive a letter containing the results of the analysis and stating the options for the type of private sewage treatment system that can be permitted for that particular lot.

When applying for a private sewage treatment system installation permit, a second application and fee must be submitted to our office.  This application is for the Installation Permit. 

Application for System Installation

The fee can be found on the Forms and Fees page.  Along with the application and fee, the following materials must be submitted for review:

• A completed installation application, including the site address,
• One set of house plans, and
• A design plan for the treatment system

The design plan for the private sewage treatment system must be prepared by a installer or designer licensed by JCDHE or a licensed engineer. The design plan shall be drawn to scale, no greater than one inch equal to fifty feet (1" = 50'), and shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

• Location of the soil profile pits,
• Size of lot, dimensions, and relative location of proposed or existing structures,
• Proposed location of the treatment system, and
• Proposed location of a replacement area for the system, consisting of at least 5,000 square feet.

The plan review will be conducted by an environmental health specialist. The time required for the plan review will vary according to the type of sewage treatment system that has been designed. Most plan reviews can be completed within five days.

The permit to install a private sewage treatment system is issued after the plan review has been completed. The permit is approved by an Environmental Health Specialist prior to issuance to the homeowner or authorized representative.

The permit will contain the site address and specifications regarding the size and installation requirements for the private sewage treatment system. Additional specifications and requirements for the installation of private sewage treatment systems are included in the Johnson County Environmental Sanitary Code.

The permit applicant will be contacted when the permit is ready. A permit fee must be paid at the time the permit is issued. House plans that were submitted for the plan review will be returned, and the applicant will receive two copies of the permit, one to post and one to submit to the appropriate building permitting agency.