Septic rules and requirements in Livingston County, Michigan
Septic permits in Livingston County are issued by the Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division. A new system permit costs $520. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 98.1% of the rated acres. Livingston County Health Department, Well and Septic Permit Application · checked 2026-10-05
Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division
Issues the permit
checked 2026-10-05
$520
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-05
Very limited
USDA rating, 98.1% of rated acres
checked 2026-10-05
Who issues septic permits in Livingston County?
Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, at 2300 E Grand River Ave, Suite 102, Howell, MI 48843, (517) 546-9858. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
Livingston County Health Department, Well and Septic Permit Application · checked 2026-10-05
What does a septic permit cost in Livingston County?
$520 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a new septic system for a single-family home.
| Soil Evaluation – Single Family Replacement (Individual Boring) | $130 | a soil evaluation system the source lists as replacement |
|---|---|---|
| Soil Evaluation – Single Family Residence | $390 | a soil evaluation system |
| Soil Evaluation – New Commercial Building | $520 | a business with a soil evaluation system, per building site |
| Soil Evaluation – Commercial Replacement (Individual Boring) | $260 | a business with a soil evaluation system, per building site |
| Soil Evaluation – Alternative Technology Vacant Land (Preliminary Review) | $650 | a alternative technology soil evaluation system |
| Permit – New construction septic single family residence (incl. 2-3 insp.) | $520 | a conventional new construction system |
| Permit – New construction septic alternative technology (incl. 4-5 insp.) | $780 | a alternative technology new construction system |
| Permit – Replacement septic single family residence | $520 | a conventional replacement system |
| Permit – Replacement septic single family w/ alternative technology | $780 | a alternative technology replacement system |
| Permit – Single family residence septic tank only | $260 | a tank only system |
| Alternative technology operating permit | $43 | a alternative technology operating permit system |
| Permit – Commercial less than 1,000 gpd w/o alternative technology | $650 | a business with a conventional system of up to 1,000 gallons a day |
| Permit – Commercial less than 1,000 gpd with alternative technology | $780 | a business with a alternative technology system of up to 1,000 gallons a day |
| Permit – Commercial more than 1,000 gpd and less than 10,000 gpd | $1,560 | a business with a system of 1,000 to 10,000 gallons a day |
| Commercial Septic Tank only | $260 | a business with a tank only system |
| Septic new installer license | $260 | a installer license system |
| Septic installer renewal | $130 | a installer license renewal system |
| Septic installer exam retake | $65 | a installer exam retake system |
| Homeowner test | $130 | a homeowner installer test system |
| Reviews for additions and/modifications – residential | $130 | a home with a system |
| Reviews for additions and/modifications – commercial | $260 | a business with a system |
The fee includes the inspections of the work.
Livingston County, Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-05
How long does approval take in Livingston County?
5 days.
Applies to the check of a full application.
The county may instead contact you for more information.
Livingston County, Septic Permits · checked 2026-10-05
Is the soil in Livingston County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 98.1% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05
What Livingston County sets itself
The state writes the code. Livingston County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Michigan requirements.
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1,500 gallons
Applies to a single or two-family home of one to four bedrooms.
A home with more bedrooms needs a larger tank.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 302.04 · checked 2026-10-05
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10 feet
Applies to a septic tank at a single or two-family home.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Table 302.09 · checked 2026-10-05
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A homeowner who builds their own system must first pass a written exam from the Health Officer.
Applies to a conventional system at the owner's own home.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.07 · checked 2026-10-05
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New drywells are prohibited. The Health Officer may allow one only to repair a failed system.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 302.08 · checked 2026-10-05
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The Health Officer must inspect the system after the dig to suitable soil. The Health Officer must inspect it again when it is done, before any part is covered.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.17 · checked 2026-10-05
Sources
Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. USDA's Soil Data Access service supplies the soil records. A script writes them, and nobody types them.
- Livingston County Health Department, Well and Septic Permit Application
- Livingston County, Septic Permits
- Livingston County, Septic Services
- Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.07
- Livingston County, Environmental Health Fee Schedule
- Livingston County, Soil Evaluation
- USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO)
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, on (517) 546-9858.