Septic permits and fees in Stearns County, Minnesota
A septic system permit in Stearns County costs $300. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Stearns County Environmental Services Department issues the permit. A private well needs 50 feet from the tank, a property line 10 feet. Stearns County 2025 Services and Fees · checked 2026-09-24
$300
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-24
50 feet
Tank to a well
checked 2026-09-24
Which septic permit applies in Stearns County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. Stearns County checks the soil before it takes a permit form. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
What are the current septic fees in Stearns County?
$300 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee 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 a septic permit take in Stearns County?
60 days.
Applies to a full application.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
What state law fixes for every Minnesota system
-
50 feet from a private well to the septic tank
Applies to a water supply well, from the sewage or holding tank.
The table sets 50 feet for the tank, the drainfield and the supply pipe.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
-
10 feet from any property line
Applies to the distance from a tank or a drainfield to the lot line.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
What Stearns County requires that the state does not
-
50
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
Where do you file the application with Stearns County Environmental Services Department?
Stearns County Environmental Services Department, 705 Courthouse Square Rm 343, St. Cloud, MN 56303, (320) 656-3613.
Stearns County Environmental Services · checked 2026-09-24
The steps, in the county's order
- Have the county check your soil before you apply.
- Apply to the county for a permit to build.
- The county checks your form within 60 days.
- Build the system within one year of the permit date.
- The county checks the finished system. It checks the drainfield's height.
County of Stearns Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Ordinance #422 · checked 2026-09-24
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Stearns County?
Ask Stearns County Environmental Services Department for the permit record for the property. Call (320) 656-3613 or start at its website.
Getting To Know Your Septic System For Residents of Stearns County · checked 2026-09-24
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- 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.