Septic permits and fees in Livingston County, Michigan
A septic system permit in Livingston County costs $520. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 1,500 gallons. A private well needs 50 feet from the tank, a property line 10 feet. Livingston County, Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-05
$520
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-05
1,500 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-10-05
50 feet
Tank to a well
checked 2026-10-05
Which septic permit applies in Livingston County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. The county requires an approved soil evaluation before you apply for a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
Livingston County, Soil Evaluation · checked 2026-10-05
What are the current septic fees in Livingston County?
$520 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee 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 a septic permit 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
What state law fixes for every Michigan system
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1,500 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
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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50 feet from a private well to the septic tank
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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10 feet from any property line
Applies to a septic tank at a single or two-family home.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Table 302.09 · checked 2026-10-05
What Livingston County requires that the state does not
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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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A permit is valid for 12 months. It does not pass to a new owner.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.12 · checked 2026-10-05
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The county rejects a permit application for a site that floods or lies in a 100-year floodplain.
Applies to a standard septic system.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.15 · 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 site must have at least 24 inches of natural soil that is suitable for treating sewage.
Livingston County Sanitary Code, Section 301.16 · checked 2026-10-05
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Apply for a site review before you add to a home or lot that has a well or septic system.
Enclosed decks, pole barns and home additions are examples.
Livingston County, Septic Services · checked 2026-10-05
Where do you file the application with Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division?
Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, 2300 E Grand River Ave, Suite 102, Howell, MI 48843, (517) 546-9858.
Livingston County, Septic Services · checked 2026-10-05
The steps, in the county's order
- Get an approved soil evaluation before you apply for a septic permit.
- For a new building, you also need a land use permit from your township. You need a soil erosion permit and a driveway permit too.
- Submit a complete well and septic permit application with the fees. You can send it in person, by email, or online.
- Send proof of the street address and a plot plan. Add a certified survey for a new build.
- Have your septic contractor ask for each required inspection. A final approval follows the last inspection.
Livingston County, Soil Evaluation · checked 2026-10-05
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Livingston County?
Ask Livingston County Health Department, Environmental Health Division for the permit record for the property. Call (517) 546-9858 or start at its website.
Livingston County Health Department, Well and Septic Permit Application · checked 2026-10-05
Search by street address or parcel number.
Livingston County, Septic Services · checked 2026-10-05
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- 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.