Permits - Well & Septic
Check with your township before applying for a well or septic permit to make sure a municipal system is not available.
Forms
To have a well and/or septic permit issued, you will need the following:
- Completed Well/Septic Permit Application (Fillable) (PDF) including your 10 digit parcel identification number
- Boundary/Grid Drawing Site Evaluation Grid (blank) (PDF)of where you like to test (see Site Evaluation Grid Example (PDF))
- Your drawing should include: Lot lines, major structures, underground utilities, etc
- Replacement systems: Need to mark where existing system currently is and the desired location for the new system.
- Fees – we accept cash, credit or check
Additional Well Forms
- Well Plugging Agreement (PDF) is needed if there is an existing well on the property
- Well - Out of Water Declaration (PDF) is needed if the home is completely out of water
- Water Well Installation Requirements (PDF) is to inform you of the process that happens when a new well is installed and what is required to finalize the well.
Commercial Buildings
- Commercial Worksheet (PDF) is required for all commercial or industrial buildings and/or businesses.
You can submit an application and forms via email to EHealth@mijackson.org or fax 517-788-4616 but will then need to call and make payment with a card over the phone, or come in or mail all your information to:
Jackson County Health Department
Environmental Health Division
1715 Lansing Ave, Room 001
Jackson, MI 49202
After you have applied and paid for your permit(s) AND a well site evaluation and/or septic soil evaluation has been performed, the permits can be issued. The sanitarian will issue the permits based on the information gathered in the evaluations. Once issued a clerk will email, fax or mail the permits to the homeowner or applicant. The homeowner and/or applicant should get the permits to the installer(s). A copy of permits should stay on site until the project is complete.
Septic systems must be installed by a licensed installer.
You can check the status of an installer by calling the Environmental Health Division at 517-788-4433. After the installation but before the completion of a septic system installation, a sanitarian must inspect the system to make sure it is in compliance with the permit. After a sanitarian does this inspection a septic final will be completed, filed and mailed to homeowner.
Well systems must be drilled by a licensed installer
.
You can check the status of an installer by looking at the State’s website at http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-dwrpd-gws-wcu-Reg-Contractors-By-County_215316_7.pdf. It is recommended the pump also be installed by a licensed installer although it is not required.
To finalize a well the Environmental Health office will need:
- Prior notification of on-site drilling
- Prior notification of pump setting
- Proper well location and construction
- Well Log – Installer has 60 days to submit to well logic or health department
- Pump Record – Installer has 60 days to submit
- Safe coliform bacteria water sample done by a State Certified lab (see Water Testing tab)
- Well Abandonment Log (if applicable) - 60 days after completed to submit
Once the office receives all necessary information the sanitarian will review the information and finalize all paperwork. Notification and paperwork will be sent to the homeowner once completed.
Permit Extension
If an extension of a permit is needed, a request can be made to our office to extend the permit for up to one additional year.
