Overview
A septic system or on-site wastewater treatment system (OWTS) is a self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system, most often utilized in rural areas.
The standard septic system involves a septic tank (to hold wastewater from drainpipes until solids settle out in the tank) and a system of pipes that distributes the remaining liquid waste underground over a large area — the leach field or Soil Treatment Area (STA). The goal is to make sure that this filtration through the soil is sufficient to clean the wastewater before it reaches groundwater sources.
State and county laws require that a permit must be issued by the department prior to constructing or making repairs to a septic system.
OWTS Permit Fees
Recently, PDPHE’s Environmental Health Management and Financial Officer analyzed our Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) program fees. The analysis was conducted to ensure that the revenues cover the expenses of the program. The analysis showed that the current fees were not covering the costs needed to run the program. Therefore, the fees charged for several permits and services needed to be increased accordingly. The findings from the analysis were presented to the Board of Health, which approved the recommended changes to our current fee structure. Based on the results of that study and the need to meet increasing programmatic costs, PDPHE will be adjusting these fees on January 1, 2026. The following table details the fee changes:
| Fee Category | Current Fees |
|---|---|
| New Residential OWTS Installation | $1,095 |
| New Commercial OWTS Installation | $1,640 |
| OWTS Major Remodel Installation | $850 |
| Expired Permit Renewal | $170 |
| Site and Soil Evaluation | $430 |
| Regulations Booklet | $25 |
| Annual Professional License New | $130 |
| Annual Professional License Renewal | $75 |
| Vehicle Inspection | $50 |
| Minor Repair Permit | $210 |
| Transfer of Title Inspections | $385 |
| Transfer of Title Application | $140 |
| Planning & Development Action Review | $285 |
| Subdivision (2–10 Lots) Prelim Plan Review | $315 |
PDPHE is continually evaluating our fee schedules to ensure that we are able to meet our program costs while keeping our permit fees as low as possible. By regularly evaluating our fees we are working to ensure that any increases are minimized. If you have questions or concerns regarding the changes, please call Scott Cowan at (719) 583-4370.
What is the role of PDPHE?
- Issuance of permits to install, repair, expand, use, or operate a system
- Plan reviews, site/soil evaluation(s) before, during, and after installation, and certification before the system is approved for use
- Transfer of Title Issuance
- Investigation of malfunctions of systems
- Enforcement
- Informational resource for OWTS Professionals and Homeowners
Septic System Care
- February 2022272.87 KB
Related Files
- Approved OWTS Designers (Engineers)122 KB
- CDPHE OWTS REGULATION NO. 431.42 MB
- Homeowner's Guide - Maintaining Your On-Site Wastewater Treatment System493.32 KB
- OWTS Regulation No. VIII1.89 MB
- OWTS Commercial Permit Application378.31 KB
- OWTS Permit Application Instructions240.69 KB
- OWTS Residential Permit Application270.79 KB
- Preliminary Investigation for OWTS Application 560.31 KB
- Professional License Application391.42 KB
- Cleaner Hauler Vehicle Inspection Form190.68 KB
- Transfer of Title Application589.61 KB
- Approved OWTS Transfer Title (NAWT) Inspectors119.71 KB
- Approved OWTS Contractors (Installers) 296.98 KB
- Approved OWTS Cleaners126.42 KB
- Approved OWTS Competent (Soils) Technicians117.78 KB
- PDPHE Regulation VIII Redline Revision June 2026550.24 KB