Non-Standard Septic System Operational Permit Fees

The County of Sonoma has or will be evaluating properties enrolled in the County’s non-standard septic system operational permit program (OPR Program) to determine if those properties were affected by a recent wildfire. County staff perform field inspections and/or evaluate aerial imagery to determine which properties sustained structural losses that would prohibit the proper use of the property’s non-standard septic system.

Please direct any questions you may have regarding the county’s non-standard septic system operational permit program to: PermitSonoma-OPR@sonoma-county.org

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In May 2018, Permit Sonoma issued prorated refund vouchers for the fiscal year 2017-2018 non-operational septic systems impacted by the fires. These non-standard septic systems are assumed to not have been functioning since October 2017. The issued prorated refunds were equivalent to three-quarters of the OPR Program fee paid for fiscal year 2017-2018. These properties will not be billed future OPR Program fees until the rebuild is completed and the existing non-standard septic system is reconnected or a new non-standard septic system is connected.

Permit Sonoma will follow the same process as in 2017 in issuing refunds for those properties with non-operational septic systems impacted by the Kincade Fire. Prorated refunds will be issued for any payments made for the current fiscal year for impacted properties. These properties will not be billed future OPR Program fees until the rebuild is completed and the existing non-standard septic system is reconnected or a new non-standard septic system is connected.

Please be advised that new structures related to fire rebuilding efforts must obtain the proper building permits and must demonstrate adequate wastewater disposal capability. Wastewater may be disposed of by either connecting to a public sewer system (where available) or connecting to a functional septic system with sufficient capacity. Permit Sonoma strongly encourages residents to have their existing septic systems evaluated by qualified professionals to determine septic system condition, reuse capabilities, and maintenance or repair needs.

Permit Sonoma will follow the same process as in 2017 in issuing refunds for those properties with non-operational septic systems impacted by the 2020 major wildfires. Prorated refunds will be issued for any payments made for the current fiscal year for impacted properties. These properties will not be billed future OPR Program fees until the rebuild is completed and the existing non-standard septic system is reconnected or a new non-standard septic system is connected.

Please be advised that new structures related to fire rebuilding efforts must obtain the proper building permits and must demonstrate adequate wastewater disposal capability. Wastewater may be disposed of by either connecting to a public sewer system (where available) or connecting to a functional septic system with sufficient capacity. Permit Sonoma strongly encourages residents to have their existing septic systems evaluated by qualified professionals to determine septic system condition, reuse capabilities, and maintenance or repair needs.