Septic permits and fees in Snohomish County, Washington

What are the current septic fees in Snohomish County?

$1,130 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.

Applies to a new gravity or pump system.

The county charges more for a system the state health department must approve. It charges by connection for a community system. A new system also pays a permit fee before building starts. A change or a repair has no separate permit fee. The county's Board of Health sets these amounts. The state code sets none.

Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 1.40.090, On-Site Sewage Dispersal Systems · checked 2026-09-23

How long does a septic permit take in Snohomish County?

5 weeks.

Applies to a new septic system application.

The county does not offer an expedited review. It updates this turnaround time as its workload changes.

Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Application Turnaround Times · checked 2026-09-23

What state law fixes for every Washington system

• 1,000 gallons minimum septic tank capacity

  Applies to a house with four bedrooms or fewer.

  See Table VII for homes with more than four bedrooms.

  Washington Administrative Code § 246-272A-0232 · checked 2026-09-23

• 100 feet from a private well to the drainfield

  Applies to a drainfield or reserve area, measured to a well.

  The setback from the sewage tank to a well is shorter.

  Washington Administrative Code § 246-272A-0210 · checked 2026-09-23

What Snohomish County requires that the state does not

• For a single home, the county sets a minimum number of soil log test holes. It requires at least three in the disposal area and two in the reserve area. Each hole must sit at least 50 feet from the next.

  Applies to a single home's septic system.

  The state rule asks only for enough soil logs, decided case by case. The county sets its own minimum count and spacing.

  Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 5.11.020, Site Identification and Preparation · checked 2026-09-23

• Snohomish County requires an installer or a pumper to pass a written exam. Each must score at least 70 percent. Then each passes a field test or an oral review. A monitoring expert needs two years of related work. Each expert also earns 10 hours of training a year. Every certificate expires each December 31 and must be renewed each year.

  The state tells every local health office to set up this approval process. It does not set an exam score, a work history length, or a renewal date. Snohomish County sets all three in its own code.

  Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 5.55.060, OSS Contractor Certification · checked 2026-09-23

Where do you file the application with Snohomish County Health Department, Environmental Health Division?

Snohomish County Health Department, Environmental Health Division, 3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104, Everett, WA 98201, 425-339-5250.

Snohomish County Health Department — Septic · checked 2026-09-23

The steps, in the county's order

1. Hire a licensed septic designer or an engineer. Only this expert may design your system.
2. The designer digs soil log test holes on your property. The system design depends on your soil, your home, and any nearby water source. You must keep the test holes open until the Health Department reviews them.
3. Your designer submits the design to the Health Department. You pay the review fee then.
4. The Health Department reviews the design. It visits your property and then decides.
5. Once approved, hire a certified installer. Pay the permit fee before work starts. You may install a gravity system yourself. You do not need to hire an installer then.
6. The installer installs the system. The designer and the Health Department inspect it before it is covered.

Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Permit Steps · checked 2026-09-23

How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Snohomish County?

Ask Snohomish County Health Department, Environmental Health Division for the permit record for the property. Call 425-339-5250 or start at its website.

Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Permitting · checked 2026-09-23

As-Built Records

It holds drawings and service history for a septic system.

Snohomish County Health Department — As-Built Records · checked 2026-09-23

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

1. Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Permitting · checked 2026-09-23
2. Snohomish County Health Department — Septic · checked 2026-09-23
3. Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 5.11.020, Site Identification and Preparation · checked 2026-09-23
4. Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 5.55.060, OSS Contractor Certification · checked 2026-09-23
5. Snohomish County Board of Health Code § 1.40.090, On-Site Sewage Dispersal Systems · checked 2026-09-23
6. Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Application Turnaround Times · checked 2026-09-23
7. Snohomish County Health Department — Septic Permit Steps · checked 2026-09-23
8. Snohomish County Health Department — As-Built Records · checked 2026-09-23
9. Snohomish County Board of Health Code, Ordinance No. BOH26-02, Chapter 5.60 · checked 2026-09-23
10. Washington Administrative Code § 246-272A-0232 · checked 2026-09-23
11. Washington Administrative Code § 246-272A-0210 · checked 2026-09-23
12. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Related pages

• Septic rules and requirements in Snohomish County, Washington
• Soil and perc tests in Snohomish County, Washington
• Home-sale septic inspections in Snohomish County, Washington
• Septic rules and requirements in Washington
• Septic rules in Snohomish County