Well & Septic Instructions and Forms

Instructions and forms necessary for applying for Well and Septic permits are listed below.

More information about Well & Septic.

• CSS-019 Minimum Standard Site Plan Requirements

  Minimum standard site plan requirements for most applications at Permit Sonoma. (Planning applications have different site plan requirements.) (Revised 12/09/2020)

• NPD-002 Protection of Stormwater Quality on Construction Sites

  Information on owners and contractors of their responsibility to protect stormwater quality during construction and to present recommendations on how to protect stormwater quality. Responsible and proper construction management at the job site is essential for the protection of stormwater quality. (Revised 05/07/2006)

• NPD-003 State Water Resources Control Board General Permit Requirements

  Information on the responsibility to protect stormwater quality during construction and to inform the development community of the State Water Resources Control Board’s General Permit requirements for construction projects disturbing one (1) or more total acres of soil. (Revised 08/26/2005)

• NPD-007 Best Management Practices for Construction Sites

  Best Management Practices that construction site managers shall implement to keep pollutants from entering the storm drain system or nearby waterways. (Revised 12/10/2009)

• WLS-002 Septic Tank Destruction Permits

  A septic tank destruction permit is required whenever a septic tank is to be destroyed. The only exception is if another septic system is being installed under a separate permit. This document provides information and procedures for obtaining a septic tank destruction permit. (Version: 12/09/2019)

• WLS-006 Request for Well and Septic Service (PDF)

  This form is used to request a paid service from the Well & Septic Division of Permit Sonoma related to an existing or proposed septic system. A permit application may be required following the requested service. (PDF: 145 kB) (Revised 03/09/2006)

• WLS-007 Percolation Test Not approved (PDF)

  The purpose of this form is to specify the basis for not approving a septic system percolation test. (PDF: 57 kB) (Revised 11/17/2006)

• WLS-008 Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Application Required Contents

  Submittal requirements for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) applications and checklists for OWTS plans and design reports for OWTS applications. (Version 12/19/2019)

• WLS-009 Operational Permit (OPR) Application Form

  This application is used to apply for an Operational Permit (OPR) for Non-Standard Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) or an OWTS that requires monitoring in accordance with Sonoma County Municipal Code, Section 24-33. It also ensures property owners are aware and understand that Non-Standard OTWS or OWTS that require monitoring are subject to OPR conditions and monitoring requirements. Valid OPRs are transferable to subsequent property owners upon change of property ownership. (Version: 12/13/2021)

• WLS-010 Certification of Water Yield in Water Scarce Areas (PDF)

  Use this form to record and determine the water level drawn and recovered. (PDF: 1.26 MB) (Version 03/02/2020)

• WLS-011 Disinfecting Wells

  Provide information on how to disinfect a well. (Revised 10/18/2005)

• WLS-012 Guidelines for Maintaining a Non-Standard Septic System

  Provides guidelines for the proper care of nonstandard septic systems. (Version: 05/10/2023)

• WLS-013 Maintenance Guidelines for Toilets on Non-Standard Sewage Disposal Systems

  Maintenance guidelines for toilets on non-standard sewage disposal systems, how to detect and fix the overuse of water from your toilet. By reducing the amount of wastewater to your septic system, you can help maintain the proper function of your sewage disposal system and save yourself the expense of system replacement. (Revised 04/20/2004)

• WLS-014 How to Monitor an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS)

  Lists the process for monitoring an Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) utilizing supplemental treatment as required by the Sonoma County Operational Permit Program. The property owner is required to monitor the OWTS utilizing supplemental treatment twice a year during the months of March and October, representing the wet and dry times of the year. (Version: 05/17/2023)

• WLS-015 Procedure for Purging and Adjusting a Pressure Distribution Septic System

  Provides a procedure for purging and adjusting a pressure distribution septic system. (Revised 04/27/2006)

• WLS-016 Non-Standard Septic System Reduced Annual Operational Permit Fee

  Information for those property owners who are in the Sonoma County monitoring program for Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) with supplemental treatment about the availability of a reduced annual operational permit fee. (Version: 05/01/2023)

• WLS-017 Landscape Guidelines for Non-Standard Septic Systems

  Provides landscaping guidelines for nonstandard septic systems. (Version: 06/19/2023)

• WLS-026 Request for Administrative Variance of County Septic Regulations (PDF)

  This form is to be used by a septic consultant to request a variance of specific County septic regulations. An administrative variance may be approved by Permit Sonoma’s Well and Septic Division staff when the consultant’s supporting data demonstrates that water quality and public health will not be threatened as a result of such variances. (PDF: 194 kB) (Version 03/01/2021)

• WLS-028 Percolation Test Approved (PDF)

  The purpose of this form is to identify the potential type(s) of septic system(s) that may be constructed based upon the approved percolation test.  (PDF: 30 kB) (Revised 11/17/2006)

• WLS-036 Septic System Evaluations for Rebuilding and Temporary Housing (County Declared Disaster) (PDF)

  To evaluate septic systems on properties impacted by County declared disasters and for properties providing temporary housing connections to existing septic systems with no county records. (PDF: 489 kB) (Version 04/25/2022)

• WLS-039 Soil Profile Evaluation Form (County Declared Disaster) (PDF)

  To determine soil suitability to site and design septic systems. (PDF: 765 kB) (Version 12/01/2019)

• WLS-040 Soil Percolation Test Data Form (County Declared Disaster) (PDF)

  To determine soil percolation rates to site and design septic systems. (PDF: 230 kB) (Version 12/01/2019)

• WLS-041 Wet Weather Groundwater Determination Form (County Declared Disaster) (PDF)

  To determine the presence and depth of groundwater to site and design septic systems. (PDF: 207 kB) (Version 12/01/2019)

• WLS-042 Experimental and Alternative Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)

  Appendix A of the Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Manual with lists of approved experimental and alternative OWTS. (Version 09/15/2019)

• WLS-043 Non-Standard OWTS Application Acknowledgement (PDF)

  This document is to ensure property owners are aware and understand that, under the County Code, non-standard Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) have additional permitting and monitoring requirements. (PDF: 154 kB) (Version: 12/19/2019)

• WLS-045 Septic Site Evaluation General Guidelines (County Declared Disaster) (PDF)

  To provide guidance for septic site evaluations related to County declared disaster rebuilding efforts. (PDF: 169 kB) (Version 12/01/2019)

• WLS-047 Operational Permit (OPR) Application Required Contents

  Submittal requirements for Operational Permit (OPR) applications and OPR site plans. (Version: 12/28/2021)

• WLS-048 Emergency Drought Standards for Well Construction

  On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order to address the continuing western drought (Note: this order was amended in March 2023 by Executive Order N-3-23). The order requires additional review of well permits by local jurisdictions and groundwater sustainability agencies, as specified by paragraph 9 of the order. (Version: 04/19/2024)

• WLS-051 Level 1 Water Conservation Certification (PDF)

  This certification form documents compliance with the County’s well ordinance relative to Level I water conservation measures that are required for water well permit applications submitted after October 4, 2022. This form ensures property owners are aware and understand that water conservation requirements are ongoing, and transferable to subsequent property owners upon change of property ownership. (PDF: 918 kB) (Version:10/15/2023)

• WLS-052 Operational Permit (OPR) Easement Quit Claim Request

  Property owners who would like to remove their easement because they are no longer in the OPR Program must complete this Easement Quit Claim Request form. (Version: 07/11/2023)

• WLS-056 Level 2 Water Conservation Completion Form (PDF)

  This certification form documents compliance with the County’s well ordinance relative to water conservation measures and limits to groundwater extraction that are required for certain water well permit applications submitted after October 4, 2022 within the Public Trust Review Area. This form ensures property owners are aware of and understand that water conservation requirements are ongoing and are transferable to subsequent property owners upon change of property ownership. (PDF: 375 kB) (Version: 03/22/2024)