State guide
Minnesota
Minnesota sets statewide septic rules through the MPCA, but most permit work is run locally under SSTS ordinances. Counties must administer compliant programs, and many cities or townships also regulate septic systems if their ordinances are at least as strict.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- Minnesota’s MPCA sets statewide SSTS rules and licenses septic professionals, but counties are required to run compliant septic programs and many cities or townships also issue and enforce local permits.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- State rules authorize licensed basic or advanced design businesses to conduct site and soil evaluations, and certified designers must conduct soil descriptions and review site evaluations prepared by noncertified employees; qualified local government employees may also perform work for their agency.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- Licensed evaluators or designers
- Official page →
- State fee
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
Official resources in Minnesota
MPCA’s main septic page with rules, homeowner guidance, and links to the statewide SSTS search tools.
Explains which local governments administer SSTS programs and how local ordinances interact with state rules.
Official MPCA search tool for licensed SSTS businesses and certified individuals, including designers and installers.
Explains who must be certified to do septic work in Minnesota and outlines certification specialties.
Explains business licensing requirements for companies that design, install, repair, maintain, operate, or inspect SSTS.
Key facts for Minnesota
- Minnesota counties must adopt SSTS ordinances and administer programs that comply with state rules.
- Cities and townships may regulate septic systems, but their ordinances must be at least as stringent as the county’s.
- MPCA says 188 SSTS programs were actively managing septic systems in Minnesota as of 2025.
- All Minnesota businesses that design, install, repair, maintain, operate, or inspect septic systems must be licensed with the MPCA.
- A licensed basic design business may conduct site and soil evaluations for Type I, II, or III systems up to 2,500 gpd.
- Most septic permits are issued by counties, cities, or townships; large subsurface systems over 10,000 gpd must be permitted by the MPCA.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Minnesota
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis County Planning & Zoning - Onsite Wastewater Division St. Louis | Duluth | 218-471-7103 | Countywide septic office for permit applications, records, inspector areas, and links to the MPCA licensed business search. |
| Otter Tail County Land & Resource Management - Septic Permit Applications Otter Tail | Fergus Falls | 218-998-8095 | Handles soil verification requests and septic installation permits and directs residents to the MPCA designer and installer search. |
| Mille Lacs County Environmental Resources - Septic System Compliance & Permitting Mille Lacs | Milaca | 320-983-8458 | Explains permit requirements and states that installations, designs, and compliance inspections must be completed by MPCA-certified individuals. |
| Crow Wing County Land Services - Septic Crow Wing | Brainerd | Not published* | Provides septic design and site suitability forms, county septic information, and a local professional list. |
| Carlton County Zoning & Environmental Services Carlton | Carlton | 218-384-9176 | Administers countywide SSTS ordinance requirements, septic permits, and compliance inspections in shoreland areas. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Check your county SSTS office first, then confirm whether your township or city also has its own septic ordinance or permit layer.
- Use the MPCA SSTS Search to verify that your designer, installer, or inspector is currently licensed and certified for the work type.
- If your lot is difficult, ask early whether you need a basic designer, an advanced designer, or a local soil verification appointment before submitting a permit.
Not seeing your county office or county?
Not every county office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Minnesota's population center, for comparison only):
- St. Croix County Community Development Department - Sanitary Program, Wisconsin · about 46 miles
- Douglas County Zoning Office - New Sanitary System (POWTS) Installation, Wisconsin · about 125 miles
- Sawyer County - Sanitation, Wisconsin · about 127 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Septic systems
Website →Phone: (800) 657-3864 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Minnesota page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.