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Building Clearances
1 & 2-Party
Private Wells
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Residential Building Clearances
You need a Residential Building Clearance from the Health District if:
You have an existing septic system; and,
Your construction project requires Health District approval in order to obtain your building permit.
You also need a Connection Permit from the Health District if:
Your project includes a new connection to your septic system; or,
Your project includes disconnecting a structure from your septic system and connecting a new structure to your septic system. i.e., replacing a Mobile Home with a new Mobile Home or Stick-Built building.
Notice: Our Septic Regulations Have Been Revised
What You Need to Know About Properties Connected to a Septic System
Thinking about buying or selling a home with a septic system? If so, you should be asking yourself these questions:
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Do I know where the septic system is located on the property?
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Do I know what type and size of septic system serves the home?
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Is the existing septic system legal? Does it have any limitations that I should be aware of before I sell or buy the home?
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When was the last time the septic system was inspected or pumped-out? Is it working properly?
A septic system is a critical component of a home --- it collects, treats, and disposes of all of the used water from toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, dishwashers, clothes washers, etc. Without a properly working and legal septic system, a home's value to the occupants or potential buyers is severely diminished. Who wants to own a home where you can't flush the toilets, take a shower, or wash your clothes? For more information about how septic systems work and the different types of septic systems see our Homeowner's Guide to Onsite Septic Systems.
Before buying or selling a home, make sure that you know what the status of the septic system is by having the Health District do a records review and site inspection of the septic system, and provide you with a written report of the findings. It is not only a good idea to protect your investment, but it is also the law (Kitsap Public Health Board Ordinance 2008A-01, Section 13.D.).
A Property Conveyance inspection is important to identify significant problems. See Property Conveyance Inspection Findings chart below. If these problems are not identified or corrected, they can cause problems for the home sellers or buyers and even cause septic system failure after the new owners take possession of the property.
For more detailed information, please refer to our Selling a property with a septic system: What, Why & How guide.
If your property does not have a record drawing, you will need to create one. Please follow the instructions contained within the Record Drawing Document.
2024 Property Conveyance Inspection Findings
1676 property conveyance inspections (PCI) for septic were completed in 2024. Of those, 464 (28%) had significant deficiencies identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Property Conveyance Inspections
Encroachment - don’t build or park on your primary or reserve drainfield. Primary and reserve drainfield areas are intended to be maintained clear for maintenance and for future use.
Maintenance accessibility - For alternative systems, keep components accessible for maintenance.
Use beyond capacity/unpermitted connections -
Stay within the designed capacity of your drainfield design. To find out how many bedrooms your septic is approved for, search for your records through our GIS Search.
Do not add plumbing to outbuildings without project review and approval from Kitsap Health.
Primary/reserve areas compromised -
Know where your septic areas are and protect them. For more information about how to protect those areas, review the Homeowner’s Guide
What You Need To Know About Properties Connected to a 1- or 2-party well or a Group B Water System
Effective March 4, 2019, all properties served by a private one- or two-party water supply or a Group B Water System are required to have a Water Status Report prepared by the Health District prior to sale. In the past, these reports have been optional but are now required.
Water Status Report Applications should be submitted 30 days prior to property transfer to allow for any identified issues to be addressed prior to closing.
For more information about the new rules, please view our Water Status Reports - Frequently Asked Questions handout.
Just like a Property Conveyance Inspection is important to know the status of the septic system, it is also important to evaluate the water system to identify significant problems. See the Private Water Status Report Findings and group B Water Status Report Findings charts below. If these problems are not identified or corrected, they can cause problems for the home sellers or buyers.
2024 Private Water Status Report Findings
438 private water status reports were completed in 2024. Of those reports, 173 (39%) had significant problems identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Private Water Status Reports
Construction Standards - Keep your well-head above grade and accessible (at least six inches above grade)
Well openings/access for contamination - Openings in the well casing/cap can allow contamination into the well. Ensure conduit, cap and all other entry points are sealed.
Ensure pressure tank maintenance is up to date and sample for bacteria annually. For more information about bacteria sampling, view the handout.
2024 Group B Water Status Report Findings
124 public water status reports for Group B systems were completed in 2024. Of those, 106 (84%) significant problems were identified.
Avoiding Common Problems on Public Water Status Reports
No user agreement - Group B user agreements have been required since 2019. All water systems should review their current user agreement or, if there isn’t one, create one. More resources can be found in below in the Drinking Water Publications Downloads. Look for these documents:
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Group B Water System User Agreement Requirements
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Group B Water System User Agreement Information and Resources
No operating permit - Group B water systems must have a current operating permit. Ensure water system contact information is up to date and the permits have been paid. For more information, visit our Managing Group B Public Water Systems page.
Sampling not current - Most Group B water systems must sample annually for bacteria and every three years for nitrate. If you’re unsure of your sampling frequency or need technical assistance with taking samples, please call us at (360) 728-2235 and ask to speak to the Drinking Water Inspector of the Day.
Also, reminder cards are mailed approximately 30 days prior to sample due date. Make sure your system contact information is updated.
Residential Building Clearance Requirements
A Permitted septic system and reserve is required.
You must have a permitted septic system and a designated reserve area to qualify for a Building Clearance. A reserve area is an area of your property set aside to accommodate a new septic drainfield in the event that your existing drainfield fails. You can check your septic records online.
If your septic system is not permitted, you do not qualify for a Building Clearance and will have to go through a different process to get your Health District approval to obtain your building permit. Call the Health District for details. (360) 728-2235
If your septic system is permitted, but you do not have a designated reserve area call the Health District for guidance before applying for a Building Clearance. We will check your property records and direct you to an inspector who can explain your options. (360) 728-2235
A Building Clearance Application must be applied for.
You can apply online; or you can fill out a paper application and submit it to the Health District. You can do this by mail, but we strongly suggest you submit in person so our friendly permit techs can give your proposal a preliminary review before submittal.
A Site Plan, meeting specific requirements.
The Health District requires a scaled site plan. We have developed Site Plan Requirements to help you meet all of the criteria.
Read the requirements carefully. The most common reason for a delay of review is an incomplete or inaccurate site plan. Be sure to use your As-built or Record of Construction drawing to reference the septic components.
If you apply online, you will need to attach a pdf of your scaled site plan.
If you apply in person you will need to bring a copy of your scaled site plan with you.
The septic system must be up to date with inspections.
If you have an alternative septic system with a maintenance contract, a current report should already be available.
If you have a standard gravity septic system, the Health District will check to see if you have a current pump report (within the last three years).
You can check the status of your septic maintenance/pump reports status online.
Drinking water requirements.
For all proposals, public water systems must meet be in full compliance with applicable regulations and private water supplies must be in compliance with WAC 173-160 (well construction standards). Certain proposals require full water adequacy for private wells. Examples include: replacement of an existing residence, adding bedrooms to an existing residence, and constructing an accessory dwelling unit or guest house.
A tank connection permit may be required.
Septic System Connection Permit Instructions
If your project involves connecting a new structure to your septic system or replacing a structure (e.g., replacing a mobile home with another mobile home or stick-built home), you need a Septic System Connection Permit.
How to Apply:
Online Application
Fill out and sign the permit form.
Attach the signed form to your online application.
Pay with a credit card.
In-Person or Mail Application
Pay by check (mail) or cash/check/Mastercard/Visa (in person).
Inspection & Final Steps:
After purchasing your permit, you may connect your structure to the septic system, but do not cover the connection until the Health District inspects it.
Complete a Record of Construction:
Use Record of Construction for Connection for basic connections.
Use Record of Construction for Component if a new component (e.g., pump tank) was added.
This document will become part of your property records.
Request an inspection: Request Inspection Here.
Inspections are completed within 2 business days.
The inspector will inform you of any corrections or approval to cover the connection.
IMPORTANT: Leave the connection uncovered until approved by the Health District. The Building Permit Final cannot be issued until the connection is inspected and approved.
Avoiding Delays
The most common reasons for delayed review or approval are:
Incomplete/inaccurate site plans. Read the site plan requirements carefully. In your records you should find a septic design, which will include property shape and dimensions, and your As-Built or Record of Construction, which will illustrate how your septic system was installed.
Entering the wrong person as the applicant (for online submittals).
Submitting the Building Clearance before the required septic tank pumping is done.
Forgetting to notify the Health District that the septic connection is ready for inspection. When you make the new connection to your septic system, you will need to leave the connection exposed for inspection. You can notify the Health District that your connection is ready for inspection here. Requests submitted before 3:30 p.m. will be inspected within 48 business hours.
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