Septic permits and fees in Oakland County, Michigan
A septic system permit in Oakland County costs $325. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 1,500 gallons. Oakland County Health Division — Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective 10/01/2025 · checked 2026-09-23
$325
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
1,500 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Oakland County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. The county requires a soil check before it issues a permit. A backhoe digs test holes, and a Sanitarian must watch. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The county calls this visit a Perc soil evaluation test. The applicant arranges and pays for the backhoe.
Oakland County — Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Oakland County?
$325 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a new septic permit for vacant land, the lower of two residential fees.
In effect from October 1, 2025.
| New Residential Septic Permit (Vacant Land) | $325 | a home with a system the source lists as Vacant Land |
|---|---|---|
| Public/Commercial (1–1,999 gallons/day) | $468 | a business with a system of 1 to 1,999 gallons a day |
| Public/Commercial (2,000–10,000 gallons/day) | $936 | a business with a system of 2,000 to 10,000 gallons a day |
A repair or replacement permit costs less. A public or commercial system costs more, priced by daily flow. Michigan sets no statewide fee.
Oakland County Health Division — Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective 10/01/2025 · checked 2026-09-23
What state law fixes for every Michigan system
-
1,500 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a home of 1 to 4 bedrooms, with a two-compartment tank.
A bigger tank applies at five bedrooms. Each bedroom past that adds more room. Michigan sets no statewide septic tank size. This is the county's own rule.
Oakland County Health Division Sanitary Code (January 2026), Article III § 7.5.1 · checked 2026-09-23
What Oakland County requires that the state does not
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A new home site on a septic system needs at least one acre for three bedrooms. A bigger home needs more land.
Applies to a new home site set up after January 22, 1995.
Michigan's Public Health Code lets a local health department set a rule stricter than the state's. The state itself sets no minimum lot size for a septic system.
Oakland County Health Division Sanitary Code (January 2026), Article II § 2.2 · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services?
Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services, 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Bldg 34 East, Pontiac, MI 48341, 248-858-1312.
Oakland County — Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Apply for a septic permit online, or bring a paper form to a Health Division office.
- Arrange for a backhoe to dig test holes on the lot. Call to schedule a Sanitarian to watch the test.
- The county checks the soil, the water level, and the lot size. If they pass, the county issues a permit to install the system.
- Install the system and ask for the inspections the permit lists. If it lists none, the installer needs only a final check before covering the system.
Oakland County — Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Oakland County?
Ask Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services for the permit record for the property. Call 248-858-1312 or start at its website.
Oakland County — Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic) · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Oakland County — Onsite Sewage Disposal System (Septic)
- Oakland County Health Division — Contact Us
- Oakland County Health Division Sanitary Code (January 2026), Article II § 2.2
- Oakland County Health Division — Environmental Health Fee Schedule, effective 10/01/2025
- 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 Oakland County Health Division, Environmental Health Services, on 248-858-1312.