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SSTS — Local Units of Government

This page provides LGU location information and assistance for LGUs with development and implementation of their SSTS program.

LGUs enforce Minn Rules Chapters 7080-7083 through their local SSTS ordinance and issue permits for systems designed with flows up to 10,000 gallons per day. There are approximately 200 LGUs across Minnesota, and depending on your location your LGU may be a county, a city, a township or a sewer district.

LGU SSTs ordinances vary across the state. Some require SSTS compliance inspections prior to property transfer, require permits for SSTS repair and septic tank maintenance, and may have other requirements which are stricter than the state regulations. Therefore it’s important to check with your local government to determine the local SSTS requirements.

Local government contacts

Ordinance development

Counties are required by MN Stat. 115.55 to adopt a SSTS ordinance that complies with the MN Rules Chapter 7080-7083. Cities and townships with SSTS ordinances must effectively administer and enforce an ordinance that is administratively and technically as strict as the county ordinance. In some situations, cities and townships may adopt a conventional SSTS program if the county has adopted a performance program.

The 2011 Legislature passed a bill extending the deadline for counties to adopt their SSTS ordinance to February 4, 2014. LGUs have the option of choosing a Conventional or a Performance SSTS Ordinance, or, provided certain criteria are met, an Alternative Local Standards ordinance. Cities and townships have up to one year after their county adoption date to update their SSTS Ordinances.

Inspection programs

Inspections are required for all new septic system construction and replacement. Existing systems must be inspected when there is a bedroom addition permit request (if the LGU has a permitting program for bedroom additions). Existing systems must also be inspected when any building permit or variance is requested for systems located in a shoreland area. Local ordinances or lending institutions may require inspections at other times, such as at property transfer.

Annual report

All local governments administering an SSTS program are required per Mn Rule 7082.0040 Subp. 5 to submit to MPCA an annual report  no later than February 1 for the previous calendar year.   The annual report questions and instructions are sent to each local unit of government in December of each year.  Data submitted are used to observe statewide SSTS permitting and compliance trends, and help MPCA with long-range planning efforts.  A yearly Annual Report Summary will be posted once all data has been received and finalized.

    Septic tank installation fee

    In 2003, the Minnesota Legislature passed a bill requiring SSTS installers to pay a $25 fee for each septic system tank they install on or after July 1, 2003. LGUs maintain a listing of tank installations throughout the year, which they submit to MPCA each January.

    Installers, or homeowners if the LGU allows homeowner installation, must remit the total number of fees collected through the end of the calendar year to the MPCA by January 30th of the following year. For example, all fees for tanks installed in 2009 must be remitted to the MPCA by Jan. 30, 2010. All fee submissions must be accompanied by the MPCA tank fee submission form.

    The money generated by the fees is used by the MPCA to increase the level of service we provide to SSTS professionals in the areas of new technology review, technical assistance for local governments, training individual sewage treatment system professionals, program planning, and enforcement under Minnesota Statutes, sections 115.55 to 115.58

    Financial assistance

    Increased funding for county SSTS programs was provided in the Clean Water Legacy (CWL) funding package approved by the 2006 Legislature. The following fact sheets will assist in answering questions about how CWL funding will affect Local Government SSTS programs.

      Straight-pipe legislation

      In 2006, legislation providing LGUs with an additional tool to require upgrades of straight-pipe systems was passed. Chapter 224, the Straight-Pipe Act, requires homeowners who do not correct straight-pipe discharges within ten months of notification to be subject to penalties of $500 per month for each month of subsequent noncompliance.

      SSTS maintenance

      Proper maintenance of SSTS is critical, especially for complex systems or systems on difficult sites. Databases or spreadsheets can be used to track required maintenance.

      Septic systems and flooding

      Additional links

      Last modified on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 15:53
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