Land Use Program
The Land Use Program plays a variety of roles protecting public health and the environment:
- Building Plan Review
- Septic
- Wells & Soil
- Pumpers
- Forms & Applications
- Laws & Regulations
- Resources
- FAQs
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Building Plan Review for Properties with Septic Systems
Environmental Health reviews building plans for new structures and alterations and changes of use of existing structures on properties with septic systems. There are two categories of plan reviews.
General Building Plan Review (Review of Proposed Structure Location): A general plan review is a review of the proposed location of a structure without plumbing fixtures to determine if the structure will meet the required setbacks from a septic system and will not interfere with the use of a necessary approved sewage disposal system, reserve area or designated disposal field area. Examples of projects that may require a general building plan review include the construction of swimming pools, sheds, barns, gazebos, ground mounted solar, and telecommunications facilities.
Building Plan Review (Review of Proposed Sewage Disposal Method): A building plan review is a review of the proposed means of sewage disposal for a new structure, remodeled structure, or an addition to a structure containing plumbing fixtures.
Below are links to assist with the plan review process.
- Building Plan Review Application
- General Building Plan Review Application Requirements
- General Building Plan Review Application Checklist
- Building Plan Review Application Requirements
- Building Plan Review Application Checklist
Plan Review Status Search -
Septic
Septic System (On-Site Wastewater Treatment System - OWTS): Improperly designed or poorly constructed or maintained OWTSs can contaminate groundwater. The Land Use Program reviews OWTS design plans and inspects the construction of OWTSs to prevent threats to groundwater and public health. Program staff investigate complaints of improperly functioning OWTSs. We also review applications for building permits on lots served by OWTSs.
Go here if you want to know how OTWSs are maintained, installed, and destroyed.
General Information
Click here to find the forms and applications that are available and required by Environmental Health in Contra Costa County.
Applications and Forms
- Building Plan Review Application
- Site and Soil Evaluation Application (Site Evaluations/Soil Profiles/Percolation Tests)
- Septic System Design Review and Construction Permit Application
Here are the requirements for septic systems.
Laws and Regulations
- Ordinance-Sewage Collection and Disposal
- Health Officer Regulations (Effective October 11, 2018)
- State OWTS Policy
Financial Assistance
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District – Septic 2 Sewer Finance Program
Central San's Septic to Sewer (S2S) program provides low-cost financing to help homeowners connect to the public sewer system and properly abandon their septic tank. The program is open to residential property owners with private septic systems located near existing sewer mains within Central San's service area (Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek; portions of Martinez and San Ramon; and unincorporated communities within central Contra Costa County).
To learn more about the program, please visit centralsan.org for more information.
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Wells and Soil Borings
Wells: The Land Use Program protects the groundwater of the county by reviewing the plans for well designs, issuing permits for the construction and destruction of wells and soil borings, and conducting inspections during drilling to make sure wells and soil borings will be installed or destroyed in a way that doesn't contaminate the county's groundwater.
Wells and soil borings that require permits from Environmental Health: water wells, dewatering wells, monitoring wells, cathodic protection wells, geothermal wells, piezometers, inclinometers, soil vapor probes, CPTs, and soil borings including geotechnical borings.
General Information
- Well and Septic System Real Estate Transaction Inspections
- Well Destruction Guidelines
- The Well Permit Process
- Well Slab Construction
- Dewatering Wells Guidelines
- Environmental and Geotechnical Wells and Soil Borings
- Annular Seal and Well Destruction Materials
Here you will find the Applications and Forms related to Wells and Soil Borings.
Applications and Forms
- Water Well Permit Application
- Monitoring/Cathodic Protection/Dewatering Well Permit Application
- Soil Boring Permit Application
- Shallow Hole Notification Application
- Annual Permit for Shallow Hole Notification Application
- Performance Bond Information
- Site Health and Safety Plan
- Request for Variance
- Authorization of Agent Form
Here you will find the Ordinances and Regulations for wells.
Laws and Regulations
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Sewage Pumpers
Septic pumpers pump clean or remove wastewater and sludge from septic tanks and pump chambers. Chemical toilet pumpers pump portable toilets. Both types of pumping services require a permit from Environmental Health. Grease pumpers are regulated by the State.
- Monthly Activity Report - Loads Handled in Contra Costa County
- Requirements for Septic Tank Pumpers and Chemical Toilet Operators
- Sewage Pumping/Hauling Permit Application
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Forms and Applications
Here you can find the forms and applications required by the Land Use Department. The Forms and applications are separated into their individual categories.
Septic Systems
- Septic System Permit Application
- Site & Soil Evaluation Application
- Land Use Plan Review Application
- Declaration Regarding Alternative Septic System
- Application to Construct an Alternative Sewage Disposal System
- Sewage Pumping/Hauling Permit Application
Wells and Soil Borings
- Well Permit Application
- Soil Boring Permit Application
- Shallow Hole Notification Application
- Annual Permit for Shallow Hole Notification Application
- Performance Bond Information
- Site Health and Safety Plan
- Request for Variance
- Authorization of Agent Form
Sewage Pumpers
- Monthly Activity Report - Loads Handled in Contra Costa County
- Requirements for Septic Tank Pumpers and Chemical Toilet Operators
- Sewage Pumping/Hauling Permit Application
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Ordinance/Regulations
The ordinances and regulations found on this page are enforced in Contra Costa County.
Septic Systems and Sewage Pumpers
- Health Officer Regulations (Effective October 11, 2018)
- State OWTS Policy
- Ordinance-Sewage Collection and Disposal (Effective October 11, 2018)
Wells
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General Information
Here are helpful links related to Land Use
- How to Apply for a Rezone, Use Permit or Land Division
- Flood Map Search by property address
- Flood Map Search by City within Contra Costa County
- Groundwater availability in the United States
- Information on groundwater levels in the United states
- Groundwater atlas of the United States
- California Contractor's License Board
- State Water Resources Control Board for environmental data for regulated facilities in California
- Watershed Atlas
- Contra Costa County General Plan Land Use Map
- Wisconsin Mound Soil Absorption System: Siting Design and Construction Manual by James C. Converse et al., January 2000
- Wisconsin At-Grade Soil Absorption System: Siting, Design and Construction Manual by James C. Converse et al., January 1990
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FAQs
What do I need to install a septic system or water well?
- Information is available at the Environmental Health office or you can call Environmental Health at 925-608-5500 to request for an information packet to be mailed.
- Reception can direct you to the district inspector who will provide assistance throughout the process.
- Septic System Process (each step requires an application)
- Site and soil evaluation
- Percolation Testing
- Design of Onsite Wastewater Treatment System
- Construction Permit
- Monitoring Program (if an alternative system)
- Well Construction Process:
- Contract with a licensed well driller, who is approved to work in Contra Costa County. The permit application must be signed by a licensed driller and include a plot plan drawn to scale.
What tests do I need to have done on my water well?
Existing Well
Bacteriological test performed by a California State Certified laboratory. A list of laboratories can be obtained in our office.New Well
A new well that has been permitted and approved by the Environmental Health Division requires: (a) four hour pump test to determine if the well can produce at least 3.0 gallons per minute sustained production rate; and (b) a water bacteriological test to determine if any Coliform bacteria are present.Does a well driller need any special licenses?
A well driller must posses a current C-57 (Well Drilling) License and be approved to work in Contra Costa County.
How can I tell if my septic system is not performing adequately?
Some signs to watch for to determine if a septic system is not performing adequately include: (a) water drains slowly down the sink drain; (b) a complete backup into the house; and (c) septic drainfield may show a damp or ponding of liquid at the surface and a sewage odor may be detected.
How near can my well be to my septic system?
The minimum distance from the well to the septic tank and leachfield is 100 feet.
What is a soil profile?
A soil profile is a hole that is excavated to expose the soil layers in a proposed drainfield area. Through the soil profile, evaluation of the soil layers will indicate the suitability of the soil for a septic system drainfield and direct observation of the pit show evidence of shallow groundwater levels or other limiting layer.
How is a soil profile done?
A soil profile starts by excavating a trench with a backhoe usually 7 feet in depth to expose the soil layers. Benching is required at 3.5' for safety.
How often should I have my septic system pumped?
It is recommended to have the septic system pumped every 3 to 5 years. Or, when the sludge accumulates to within 12 to 18-inches from the bottom of the outlet sanitary tee.
What size leachfield should I have for my septic system?
The size of the drainfield is calculated from the information obtained from the soil profile, percolation test and the number of bedrooms proposed for the single-family dwelling.
What is a Perc test?
A perc test or percolation test is a test that is used to determine the permeability or the rate in which water can be absorbed into the soil.
What types of certifications/licenses are required for Septic System Consultants?
The septic system consultants or "Registered Professional" must be a State of California Registered Environmental Health Specialist, geologist, Civil or Soils Engineer.
What types of certifications/licenses are required for Septic System Contractors?
Septic System Contractors or "Registered Installers" must possess a State of California Contractor's license (Type A, B, C-36 or C-42) to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, improve or replace an individual system, or many of the components of an individual system. A registered installer doing business in Contra Costa County must have current verification of worker's compensation insurance on file with the Department if any employees work on system construction.
How do I convert from a septic system to public sewer?
Step I: Contact public sewer agency:
The applicant should contact the local public sewer agencies to determine if the property is can connect to sanitary sewer. For information regarding connecting to public sewer, click on the links below:- Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
- West County Waste Water District
- Delta Diablo Sanitation District
- Ironhouse Sanitary District
- Stege Sanitary District
- Mt. View Sanitary District
- Rodeo Sanitary District
- Town of Discovery Bay
Step II: Apply for septic tank abandonment permit
Apply for a septic tank destruction permit at the Environmental Health Office located at 2120 Diamond Boulevard, Suite 200, Concord, California. A septic tank that is no longer in use may pose a safety hazard. Old steel tanks, thin, rusting steel or rotting homemade wood tank covers are at risk of collapse. Falling into a septic tank may lead to asphyxiation from methane gases and in cases of collapse; there is risk of becoming buried.