Riverside County's Department of Environmental Health (DEH) handles septic permits in unincorporated areas and in cities that contract with it. Some cities, including Jurupa Valley, Norco and Perris, have no formal agreement for septic review.
DEH requires an OWTS Construction Application for the installation, repair or modification of any septic system in the unincorporated areas of Riverside County or its contracted cities. An Environmental Health Specialist reviews the plans, and construction can start once they are approved. A new system also needs a separate building permit from the local building and safety agency.
Applications go to DEH's Riverside office at 4080 Lemon Street or its Indio office, depending on the project location. DEH lists DEHOWTS@rivco.org for questions.
The county's LAMP lists cities that have a Memorandum of Understanding with DEH. The City of Riverside is on the list, with the county providing planning review and plan check. The LAMP lists Jurupa Valley, Norco and Perris among the cities with no formal agreement for septic review with DEH.
If your home is inside one of those cities, start with the city's building or planning department. The LAMP does not say how each city runs its process.
For a repair or modification, DEH asks for a certification of the existing system signed by a registered Qualified Service Provider, plus a scaled plot plan. The plot plan shows the existing system, the proposed replacement parts, and nearby wells, structures and property lines.
Ordinance 650 defines a major repair as replacing, enlarging or modifying a septic tank, treatment unit or dispersal system, not counting non-perforated distribution pipes. A major repair needs a construction permit whether or not the system has failed.
Ordinance 650 says conventional applications are approved or denied within 15 working days of filing, and alternative systems within 30 working days. Fees are set in Ordinance 640, and DEH asks you to contact it for fees specific to your project. The ordinance text predates the 2024 LAMP, so confirm current timing with DEH.
Every system needs a construction inspection and final approval by DEH or the Department of Building and Safety before it is used. Alternative systems also need a maintenance agreement with a Qualified Service Provider, a yearly inspection and an annual operating permit.
The ordinance also says no septic system is approved where connection to a sanitary sewer is a practical option. If a failing system is found and sewer becomes an option, the owner can be required to connect within a timeframe set by the Director.
Call DEH or your city's building department before any digging, tank replacement or addition, then hire a licensed contractor.
A Professional of Record registered with DEH, holding a State of California Professional Engineer, Professional Geologist or Registered Environmental Health Specialist credential.
Under Ordinance 650, yes, if a failure is found and sewer is determined to be an option, within a timeframe the Director sets.
DEH publishes an OWTS Destruction Procedure Checklist on its septic page.
Yes. DEH says they need an annual operating permit.
Riverside County Septic is a free referral service, not a contractor. Request a free quote from a local septic contractor.