Spokane County, WA
Septic permits in Spokane County and the aquifer
Updated · Prepared by the Plumb Right Now editorial team
Short answer
In Spokane County, the Spokane Regional Health District permits new septic systems and changes to existing ones for homes and small buildings under 3,500 gallons a day. Any project that needs a permit under WAC 246-272A, from a building sewer or repair to a full system, must be designed by a licensed design professional. The district's program protects the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the region's drinking water.
What Spokane County handles
Spokane Regional Health District issues permits for new on-site sewage systems and changes to existing ones serving single-family homes, small businesses and apartment buildings under 3,500 gallons per day. [1]
Every Spokane County on-site sewage project that needs a permit under WAC 246-272A, including building sewers, repairs, expansions, modifications, holding tanks and complete systems, must be designed by a licensed design professional. [1]
The district works to ensure systems over the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer are properly designed, installed and maintained so they treat wastewater effectively. [2]
Who this affects
Septic serves rural parts of the county and some older suburban areas outside the sewer service area. Most homes in Spokane and Spokane Valley are on sewer, and plumbing permits there come from the city.
Planning a septic repair
- Have a licensed designer assess the failure; even a repair needs a design under state rules.
- Get the permit from the Health District before work starts.
- Use a certified installer, and keep the as-built drawing for future buyers.
- If you smell sewage indoors first, see sewer smell in the house.
Common questions
Who issues septic permits in Spokane County?
The Spokane Regional Health District.
Does a Spokane County septic repair need a designer?
Yes. Permitted repairs, modifications and expansions must be designed by a licensed design professional.
What size systems does the Spokane health district permit?
Systems under 3,500 gallons per day: homes, small businesses and apartment buildings.
Why does Spokane County care so much about septic systems?
Many sit over the Spokane Valley–Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, the region's drinking water source.
Does replacing a building sewer need a Spokane County septic permit?
On a septic property, yes; building sewers are among the projects that need a permit and a licensed design.
Which state rule governs Spokane County septic permits?
WAC 246-272A, Washington's on-site sewage rule.
Do Spokane city homes need septic permits?
Homes on city sewer don't; the district's program covers on-site systems.
Do Spokane County septic installers need to be certified?
Use an installer the Health District lists for the county, and keep the as-built drawing for future buyers.
Do holding tanks need a permit in Spokane County?
Yes, holding tanks are among the permitted project types.
Who do I call with Spokane County septic questions?
The Spokane Regional Health District's on-site sewage program.
Cities and services in Spokane County
- Plumbing services in SpokaneSpokane pumps all its water from one of the most productive aquifers in the country, clean enough to need only chlorine. Its housing is older (about t…
- Plumbing services in Spokane ValleySpokane Valley is a city east of Spokane incorporated in 2003, with many 1950s–70s ranch homes and newer subdivisions. Its water comes from the Spokan…
- Backflow Testing in WashingtonWashington's cross-connection rule: assemblies tested at installation, after repair or relocation and every year, by a state-certified Backflow Assembly Tester.
- Plumbing in WashingtonStatewide code, licensing and climate for Washington.
Other Washington counties
- Septic system inspections in King CountyKing County septic rules: gravity systems inspected every 3 years, pressure, mound and sand filter systems every year, and the report your maintainer files.
- Selling a home with a septic system in Snohomish CountyFrom November 1, 2026, Snohomish County sellers with septic need an inspection within 12 months, a site plan if no as-built exists, and a Report of Property Transfer.
- Pierce County septic Report of System Status for home salesSelling a Pierce County home on septic: pump and inspect, apply for a Report of System Status, the Health Department's field visit, and the 12-month validity.
Sources (2)
- Spokane Regional Health District, New Systems or Changes to Existing · checked 2026-10-06
- Spokane Regional Health District, Septic Systems · checked 2026-10-06