Sourced from county health department documentation and EGLE Onsite Wastewater Program guidance — last checked August 2026.
The Sequence
Step 1: Contact your local health department. Before you dig, call the environmental health division. They’ll explain application forms, required documents, and current wait times. That last one is the number people skip and then regret.
Step 2: Soil evaluation and site assessment. A sanitarian from the health department or a licensed evaluator digs test pits or takes soil borings, assessing soil type, percolation rate, depth to bedrock, and depth to the water table.
Step 3: System design. Based on the soil results, a designer produces plans. In some counties you must use a pre-approved designer; in others you choose your own.
Step 4: Permit issuance. The health department reviews the design against the county sanitary code.
Step 5: Installation and inspection. The system is installed and inspected before it’s covered.
Michigan Septic Guide — Free Tool
What Does Your Michigan County Require?
Michigan is the only state in the country without a statewide septic code. Instead, 45 local health departments write and enforce their own sanitary codes across 83 counties. That means there is genuinely no statewide answer to most septic questions here — your county’s code is the rule, and it can differ sharply from the county next door.
Directional guidance only. Michigan’s 45 local health departments each adopt and enforce their own sanitary code. EGLE’s Onsite Wastewater Program provides guidance and oversight but generally does not override local health department authority.
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Where Counties Diverge
| Variable | How much it varies |
|---|---|
| Timeline | Reportedly two weeks to two months |
| Fees | Set independently by each health department |
| Designers and installers | Some counties require pre-approved lists |
| Approved system types | Varies by county code |
| Failed-soil alternatives | Holding tanks permitted in some counties, not others |
If Your Permit Is Denied
A denial usually follows a failed soil evaluation — high water table, unsuitable soil, insufficient area, or inadequate depth to bedrock. You have more options than most people realize.
Ask precisely why, and by how much. Sometimes a different area of the property hasn’t been evaluated, or the gap is small enough that an alternative design closes it.
Gather supporting documentation. An independent soil evaluation, or an alternative system design from a licensed engineer, often strengthens an appeal materially. Hiring a septic engineer is a real cost, but on a lot you can’t otherwise build on it’s usually worth pricing.
Letters from neighboring property owners are sometimes accepted as supporting evidence, depending on the county and the issue.
Escalate to EGLE if the local appeal fails. EGLE can review the decision and provide guidance. Be realistic: EGLE generally does not override local health department authority in most cases.
Ask about alternatives. Some counties permit holding tanks or engineered systems where conventional designs fail. Wayne County mandates holding tank alternatives for lots that fail soil evaluation. What’s available depends entirely on your county code.
Before You Buy Land
This is the single most valuable thing on this page. If you’re purchasing property that will need a septic system, get the soil evaluation before you close, not after.
A lot that can’t support a conventional system may still be buildable at considerably higher cost — or, in some cases, may not be buildable at all. That’s a fact worth having before the purchase rather than discovering afterward.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to get a septic permit in Michigan?
Contact your local health department, get a soil evaluation and site assessment, have a system designed, obtain the permit, then install and pass final inspection.
Who performs the soil evaluation?
A sanitarian from the local health department or a licensed evaluator. They dig test pits or take soil borings to assess soil type, percolation rate, depth to bedrock and depth to the water table.
Can I choose my own septic installer in Michigan?
It depends on the county. Wayne County requires pre-approved designers and installers. Many counties let you choose your own licensed contractor.
Should I get a soil evaluation before buying land?
Yes. A lot that cannot support a conventional system may be buildable only at much higher cost, or in some cases not at all. That is worth knowing before closing rather than after.