Septic rules and requirements in Ulster County, New York
Septic permits in Ulster County are issued by the Ulster County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Division. A new system permit costs $600. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 100.0% of the rated acres. Ulster County Department of Health — Sewage Disposal System Application · checked 2026-09-23
Ulster County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Division
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-23
$600
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
Very limited
USDA rating, 100.0% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-13
Who issues septic permits in Ulster County?
Ulster County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Division, at 239 Golden Hill Lane, Kingston, NY 12401, 845-340-3010. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
The division reviews the plan. It issues the permit and checks the build.
Ulster County Department of Health — Sewage Disposal System Application · checked 2026-09-23
What does a septic permit cost in Ulster County?
$600 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a home, or a business system with a flow under 1,000 gallons a day.
| Residential: Fee | $600 | a home with a system |
|---|---|---|
| -Daily flows less than 1,000 gallons | $600 | a business with a system of up to 1,000 gallons a day |
| -Daily flows 1,000 gallons – 10,000 gallons * | $900 | a business with a system of 1,000 to 10,000 gallons a day the source lists as * only applies to facilities permitted by DOH under Part 6, 7, 14, 15 or 17 of the NYS Sanitary Code |
| - Daily flows more than 10,000 gallons | $900 | a business with a system of more than 9,999 gallons a day the source lists as Daily flows more than 10,000 gallons - plans to be submitted to the NYSDEC for review & approval |
A business with a bigger daily flow pays more, under the same fee list. The list also charges a fee for a bad check.
Ulster County Department of Health — Application for and Report of Sewage Disposal System · checked 2026-09-23
How long does approval take in Ulster County?
6 months.
Applies to a smaller home lot, by the county's own estimate.
This can take up to six months for a home. A larger job can take longer.
Ulster County Department of Health — Sewage Disposal System Application · checked 2026-09-23
Is the soil in Ulster County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 100.0% 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 2026-09-13
What Ulster County sets itself
The state writes the code. Ulster County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the New York requirements.
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$600
Applies to a home, or a business system with a flow under 1,000 gallons a day.
A business with a bigger daily flow pays more, under the same fee list. The list also charges a fee for a bad check.
Ulster County Department of Health — Application for and Report of Sewage Disposal System · checked 2026-09-23
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The permit to build lasts 2 years. The county can renew it for 2 more years. The form itself lasts 5 years.
New York sets no fixed term for this permit. Ulster County set this term on its own.
Ulster County Sanitary Code, Article VI §6.4.6 and §6.4.13 · checked 2026-09-23
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.
- Ulster County Department of Health — Sewage Disposal System Application
- Ulster County Department of Health — Environmental Health Division
- Ulster County Sanitary Code, Article VI §6.4.6 and §6.4.13
- Ulster County Department of Health — Application for and Report of Sewage Disposal System
- 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 Ulster County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Division, on 845-340-3010.