Program Goals
A contractor is shown installing an Individual Sewage Treatment System. An absorption trench has been dug and left open for inspection by Monroe County Department of Health personnel.
To minimize potential health hazards and the contamination of surface and ground waters by ensuring that individual sewage disposal systems are properly designed, constructed, and maintained pursuant to and enforced by Article IIA and Article III of the Monroe County Sanitary Code.
Program Highlights
- Witness field testing (percolation tests and deep holes).
- Review plans and issue approvals for individual sewage treatment systems.
- Consult with engineers, homeowners, and contractors.
- Perform construction inspections of new on-site sewage treatment systems and repairs.
- Investigate and abate individual sewage disposal complaints.
- Review and approve plans for the proper arrangements to furnish an adequate and satisfactory water supply and sewage treatment facilities.
- Enforce Article II-A and Article III of the Monroe County Sanitary Code.
Permit/Inspection Information
- The construction of all residential on-site sewage treatment systems.
- The alteration or repair of any existing residential on-site sewage treatment system.
Application Procedure
Application is made by submitting a completed “San-72 form” for new developments or the “Application for a Construction Permit for the Installation or Repair of an Individual Sewage Disposal System.” Copies of these forms are available on this website or from the Monroe County Department of Health, Bureau of Public Health Engineering, Field Operations Section, Room 938, 111 Westfall Road, PO Box 92832, Rochester, New York 14692.
What You’ll Need
Before an on-site sewage disposal system can be constructed, the applicant is required to provide a plan showing placement of the existing system on the property. For repair applications, this plan may be prepared by the contractor. For new development, the applicant will be required to submit the same plan as that submitted to the municipal planning board. A licensed professional engineer, exempt land surveyor or architect must prepare the plan.
Application Fees
- Repair/Alteration:
$200 per Lot* - New Development:
$325 first Lot
$250 each additional Lot
Other Information
Further information is given in the publication ISD Design Manual-Monroe County, which is available from the Monroe County Department of Health for a fee of $35.
Inspection Requirements
A Monroe County Department of Health representative must perform construction inspections of the installation of sewage treatment facilities for both new development and repairs prior to backfill.
Inspections will be completed within 48 hours of request.
Inspection Fees
- Repair/Alteration:
*included in permit fee - New Simple:
$175 - New Complex:
$300
Documents and Permits
- Property Transfer Recommendations (9k PDF)
- SAN 72 (13k PDF)
- Monroe County Health Department Registered Installers (228k PDF)
- Septic System Care and Maintenance (1,004k PDF)
- Application for a Construction Permit for a Repair (29k PDF)
- Instructions for Repair Permit (112k PDF)
- Monroe County Sanitary Code Article IIa Private Sewage Disposal Systems (32k PDF)
- Monroe County Sanitary Code Article III Realty Subdivisions (21k PDF)
