NC Septic System Information

Most, if not all NC rural properties across the country use septic systems for waste water that comes from the home.

In McDowell County the Rutherford Polk McDowell District Health Department is the place to go in order to obtain a permit. They can be contacted at 828-652-2921.

APPLICATIONS ARE PROCESSED IN THE ORDER RECEIVED

BEFORE THE PROPERTY CAN BE EVALUATED, THE FOLLOWING ITEMS MUST BE COMPLETED:

1. A surveyor's plat of the site (or tax map) must accompany this application showing the following drawn on it: the proposed building (decks, porches, garages included), driveway, water supply, surface waters, easements or rights of way and other pertinent features.

2. You will also need a Pre-Permit Authorization form showing a PIN # (Parcel Identification Number) from the Tax Assessor's Office.

3. Property lines and house/mobile home corners must be clearly field marked on the site, with furnished ribbons.

4. Property must be reasonably clear of undergrowth or obstacles that prohibit a thorough site evaluation.

5. Please display the orange Health Department sign furnished in a visible spot at roadside to aid in site location.

6. Site considerations may be affected by other ordinances, i.e.: flood plain or watershed, zoning, planning board restraints, restricted land use, etc., and the building inspector should be contacted prior to the health department evaluation to see if any ordinances are applicable.


IF YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION REGARDING SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS YOU WILL NEED TO SEE AN INSPECTOR OR CALL AN INSPECTOR. Inspectors are only in their office for one hour in the morning between 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM. Inspectors are in the field the rest of the day doing septic tank site evaluations, septic tank final inspections, sanitation inspections of all public facilities, collecting water samples and meeting with contractors or customers at the site.

PLEASE COMPLETE “APPLICATION FOR SITE EVALUATION” FORM. MAKE SURE TO ANSWERALL QUESTIONS, SIGN AND DATE THE APPLICATION AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. TURN THEAPPLICATION OVER AND DRAW A ROAD MAP TO THE SITE. IT IS A N.C. STATE LAW THAT A PLAT OF THE LAND or a TAX MAP FROM THE TAX MAPPING DEPARTMENT MUST ACCOMPANY THIS APPLICATION. (SEE EXAMPLE SITE PLAN ON PAGE 2.)

IMPORTANT: BEFORE GOING TO THE BUILDING INPECTION DEPARTMENT BE SURE YOU HAVE AN IMPROVEMENT PERMIT for your septic tank from the Environmental Health Services at the Health Department, and PRE-PERMIT AUTHORIZATION FORM from the Tax Assessor's Office.

Remember that you can always call them at 828-652-2921 if you have any questions.

The people at the Health Department are really great to work with.
You will find that the local people are very helpful and good hearted folks.

Here is a copy of the application so you know what it looks like.