When buying land, it is very important to determine septic suitability while in the due diligence phase. We receive calls and inquiries often from individuals who have been denied by the county or have land that seems to be unsuitable for any kind of septic. To avoid risk in land purchasing, taking the time to have a preliminary evaluation can save a lot of money, effort, and stress.
Once you have found the property that speaks to you and are in the process of designing your dream home, you will be tasked with obtaining septic and possibly well permits. These permits are the barrier to home construction for any parcel that is not served by the public sewer.
How do I obtain a septic permit in Western North Carolina?
Obtaining septic permits are the first step in home construction, or for possible expansion or repair needs, and can be done through either the municipal county health department or through a private option. The most common permit obtained is an “Authorization to Construct” permit, or a CA. This kind of permit allows for the building permit to be pulled and for an installer to begin putting the system in the ground. The other commonly obtained permit is known as an “Improvement Permit” or an IP. This kind of permit is commonly used for real estate transactions and a guarantee that the land in question supports septic and identifies which kind of system, the density of bedrooms, and other details that can be helpful for a potential buyer to know. If the property in question currently has an improvement permit, you will have to obtain an authorization to construct permit before being able to initiate any building plans.
LRM completes the entire process of septic permitting and design for both conventional and non-conventional systems. We provide land evaluations and walk through the process with clients at every step with recommendations given from our years of expertise in Western North Carolina.
Why work with a private option?
Utilizing a private option for septic permitting can help expedite the permitting process. LRM has both Licensed Soil Scientists (LSS) and Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluators (AOWE) on staff that are certified by the North Carolina Onsite Wastewater Inspector Certification Board (NCOWCICB), allof which are required to perform and certify the evaluation. The private option allows for greater exploration of the property and creative solutions to solve septic permitting for potentially difficult properties or those that have been denied by the county.
County Permit Lookup
The County Environmental Health Department has helpful resources for those that are in the process of buying a home or would like to learn more about potential well and septic existing on a property. For example, linked here is the Buncombe County Online Permit Portal, where you can order search current or prior permitting history by utilizing at least one of the following pieces of information: permit number, parcel number, address, and/or contractor name.
How long does a septic permit last?
Once you have the septic permits in hand, they last for five years for the installation to be completed.
What kinds of projects does LRM handle?
We permit a multitude of single residential homes, as well as larger systems, such as commercial multi-phase developments, tiny home, glamping, or RV sites, and other large systems serving schools and churches. We also work directly with the state permitting department to permit septic systems that are over a flow design of 3,000 gallons per day.
How can I get started with the permitting and/or design process?
Please reach out to LRM either at the office 828-900-8700 or send the details of the property and eventual goals to walker@landrm.com.