Septic rules and requirements in Stearns County, Minnesota
Septic permits in Stearns County are issued by the Stearns County Environmental Services Department. A new system permit costs $300. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 96.2% of the rated acres. Getting To Know Your Septic System For Residents of Stearns County · checked 2026-09-24
Stearns County Environmental Services
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-24
$300
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-24
Very limited
USDA rating, 96.2% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-24
Who issues septic permits in Stearns County?
Stearns County Environmental Services Department, at 705 Courthouse Square Rm 343, St. Cloud, MN 56303, (320) 656-3613. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
Getting To Know Your Septic System For Residents of Stearns County · checked 2026-09-24
What does a septic permit cost in Stearns County?
$300 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a system built for a standard house.
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TYPES I & II | $300 | a type i or type ii system |
|---|---|---|
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TYPE III | $350 | a type iii system |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TYPE IV - RESIDENTIAL | $800 | a home with a type iv system the source lists as Plus Operating Permit |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TYPE IV - OTHER ESTABLISHMENT | $1,500 | a type iv system the source lists as Plus Operating Permit |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TYPE V | $2,000 | a type v system the source lists as Plus Operating Permit |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - COLLECTOR/COMMUNITY SYSTEM 0-2499 GAL | $750 | a collector/community system of 0 to 2,499 gallons a day the source lists as Plus Operating Permit, if required |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - COLLECTOR/COMMUNITY SYSTEM 2500-5000 GAL | $1,500 | a collector/community system of 2,500 to 5,000 gallons a day the source lists as Plus Operating Permit, if required |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - COLLECTOR/COMMUNITY SYSTEM 5001-10,000 GAL | $1,600 | a collector/community system of 5,001 to 10,000 gallons a day the source lists as Plus Operating Permit, if required |
| SEPTIC SYSTEM REINSPECTION | $135 | a system the source lists as After Final Inspection |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - TANK OR SOIL DISPERSAL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT ONLY | $200 | a system the source lists as tank or soil dispersal system replacement only |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - DWELLING OR STRUCTURE HOLDING TANK | $200 | a holding tank system |
| SSTS CONSTRUCTION PERMIT - PRIVY PERMIT - PIT/HOLDING TANK | $150 | a privy - pit/holding tank system |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - CLUSTER ISTS 0-2499 GAL | $500 | a cluster ists system of 0 to 2,499 gallons a day the source lists as Initial OP good for 5 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - CLUSTER ISTS 2500-5000 GAL | $550 | a cluster ists system of 2,500 to 5,000 gallons a day the source lists as Initial OP good for 5 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - CLUSTER MSTS 5001-10,000 GAL | $550 | a cluster msts system of 5,001 to 10,000 gallons a day the source lists as Initial OP good for 5 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - TYPE IV | $350 | a type iv system the source lists as Initial OP good for 5 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - TYPE V | $350 | a type v system the source lists as Initial OP good for 5 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - RENEWAL CLUSTER ISTS 0-2499 GAL | $180 | a cluster ists system of 0 to 2,499 gallons a day the source lists as Renewal OP good for 3 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - RENEWAL CLUSTER ISTS 2500-5000 GAL | $180 | a cluster ists system of 2,500 to 5,000 gallons a day the source lists as Renewal OP good for 3 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - RENEWAL CLUSTER ISTS 5001-10,000 GAL | $180 | a cluster ists system of 5,001 to 10,000 gallons a day the source lists as Renewal OP good for 3 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - RENEWAL TYPE IV | $180 | a type iv system the source lists as Renewal OP good for 3 years |
| SSTS OPERATING PERMITS - RENEWAL TYPE V | $180 | a type v system the source lists as Renewal OP good for 3 years |
| INFIELD VERIFICATION OF SOILS - BASIC INSPECTOR | $150 | a system the source lists as basic inspector |
| INFIELD VERIFICATION OF SOILS - ADVANCED | $200 | a system the source lists as advanced inspector |
| INCOMPLETE DESIGN - 2ND & SUBSEQUENT REVIEWS | $75 | a system the source lists as each review |
The fee for a larger or unusual system is higher. The full schedule lists every fee.
Stearns County 2025 Services and Fees · checked 2026-09-24
How long does approval take in Stearns County?
60 days.
Applies to a full application.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
Is the soil in Stearns County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 96.2% 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 2026-09-24
Does Stearns County inspect a septic system when a house is sold?
Yes. Stearns County requires a check when a property changes owners.
The county exempts some transfers from this check. Its rule lists them.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
What Stearns County sets itself
The state writes the code. Stearns County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Minnesota requirements.
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No new steel tanks. An existing steel, block or stave tank must be replaced at its next check.
The state does not ban this material.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
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50 gallons
Applies to a vacation or a private home rental, per guest per day.
The county sets this design flow for a vacation or rental home. It also bans a holding tank for that home.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
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.
- Getting To Know Your Septic System For Residents of Stearns County
- Stearns County Environmental Services
- County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422
- Stearns County 2025 Services and Fees
- Crow Wing County Land Use Ordinance, Article 37.26(D)(4)
- 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 Stearns County Environmental Services Department, on (320) 656-3613.