Septic permit rules and requirements in Virginia
In Virginia, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your district or local health department. For some systems the state issues it itself. The code is 12VAC5-610. Virginia Administrative Code, 12VAC5-610-250 · checked 2026-09-12
Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services
Writes the rules
checked 2026-09-23
Your district or local health department
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-12
12VAC5-610
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who decides a septic permit in Virginia
Your district or local health department issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor through the Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services, Virginia Department of Health.
The commissioner signs off on the permit. Local staff take the request first.
Virginia Administrative Code, 12VAC5-610-250 · checked 2026-09-12
The office publishes its own page on this: Virginia Department of Health — Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services.
The division's own page names this address as its canonical link.
Virginia Department of Health — Division of Onsite Water and Wastewater Services · checked 2026-09-23
The floor state law sets
The rules that govern every septic system in Virginia are 12VAC5-610 — Sewage Handling and Disposal Regulations. Every local permit is issued under them.
Section 20 sets the chapter's purpose. It requires safe and sanitary handling of sewage.
Virginia Administrative Code, Title 12, Agency 5, Chapter 610 · checked 2026-09-23
Virginia counties on this site
We have not published a Virginia county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your district or local health department before you spend money on it.