When soils evaluations are performed on a property, they fall under two categories… “Certification Letters” and “Construction Permits”. Deciding which one is necessary depends on what is planned for the property.
A Certification Letter is a legally binding letter issued by the Health Department that declares a specific area on a parcel of land can support an onsite septic system. The letter typically defines the number of bedrooms that the system can support, but does not specify the type of onsite septic system (because the type can change as technology evolves and regulations change). The Certification Letter references a specific area on the property that has been survey located (a survey should accompany the letter). Once the onsite septic system area is “Certified” it can never be disturbed or altered from its original state or the Certification Letter becomes void. The Certification Letter is issued to the current property owner and conveys to all future owners upon sale or transfer of the property, and never expires. Clients seeking Certification Letters typically want to buy or sell a property with an approved location for a septic system.
A Construction Permit is a permit issued to the current property owner allowing them to construct an onsite septic system. Where a Certification Letter only identifies the approved area, the Construction Permit is the actual design of the onsite septic system. It specifies the components to be used, materials and the locations specifically related to the proposed house location. The Construction Permit can only be issued to the current owner who intends to build a house. The permit would immediately become voided if the property is sold or transferred to a new owner. The Construction Permit is only valid for 18 months from the date it is issued. In short, only the current property owner who intends to build a house in the near future should seek a Construction Permit.