State guide
North Dakota
North Dakota splits oversight: the Department of Environmental Quality licenses septic installers, while local public health units issue local permits and inspections before work begins. Several multi-county health districts publish their own onsite sewage program pages, and some link directly to the state installer list and the professional soil classifier roster.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
Try a ZIP like 30303, “Travis County” or “Columbus, OH”
- Who regulates septic permits
- The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality licenses onsite wastewater installers, while local public health units handle permitting and inspections for local septic systems.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- North Dakota requirements vary by local program: some local forms require soil reports from a Certified Soils Classifier or Certified Soils Testing Agency, and Western Plains links to the North Dakota Board of Registration for Professional Soil Classifiers roster.
- 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 North Dakota
ND DEQ - Septic Systems
State DEQ page for installer licensing, application materials, and the official licensed installer list.
ND DEQ - Licensed Septic System Installers
Official statewide list of DEQ-licensed septic system installers.
North Dakota HHS - Local Public Health
Official statewide list of local public health units.
Western Plains Public Health - Onsite Septic System Program
Official local health program page showing a typical North Dakota local permit program and links to the soil classifier roster.
Key facts for North Dakota
- ND DEQ says all installers must obtain a department license and a permit from their local public health unit before beginning work.
- ND DEQ says the installer license is issued at no cost.
- North Dakota has 28 independent local public health units.
- A 2026 DEQ draft guidance says local public health units administer permitting and oversight of onsite sewage systems.
- Burleigh County’s septic application requires a soil report from a Certified Soils Classifier or Certified Soils Testing Agency, unless the alternative sizing allowance is used.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in North Dakota
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo Cass Public Health - On-site Sewage Treatment Systems Cass | Fargo | Not published* | Serves Cass plus Richland, Ransom, Sargent, Steele, and Traill counties for onsite sewage treatment systems; page includes application and soil classifier list. |
| First District Health Unit - Septic (Onsite Wastewater) Systems Ward | Minot | Not published* | Requires permits for installation or repair in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, and Ward counties. |
| Western Plains Public Health - Onsite Septic System Program Morton | Mandan | 701.667.3370 | Handles onsite septic systems for Grant, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, and Sioux counties, and contracts services for Emmons and Kidder. |
| Central Valley Health District - On-Site Sewage Treatment System Program Stutsman | Jamestown | 701-252-8130, ext. 9 | Permits OSTS and provides inspections of existing septic systems; page links the professional soil classifier list and ND installer list. |
| Burleigh County Building/Planning/Zoning - Septic System Permit Application Burleigh | Bismarck | (701) 221-3727 | County permit page for new septic systems and repairs; application states when a soil report is required. |
| Grand Forks County Planning & Zoning Grand Forks | Grand Forks | Not published* | County planning page publishes septic permit applications for chamber, mound, and rock trench systems. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Check which local public health unit serves your county before applying; several North Dakota programs cover multiple counties.
- If you are hiring a contractor, confirm both the DEQ installer license and the local permit requirements.
- Ask your local health program whether it needs a soil report, a professional soil classifier, or a local worksheet before permit review.
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 North Dakota's population center, for comparison only):
- Otter Tail County Land & Resource Management - Septic Permit Applications, Minnesota · about 180 miles
- South Dakota DANR Livestock Services Program, South Dakota · about 210 miles
- South Dakota Plumbing Commission, South Dakota · about 210 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.ND DEQ - Septic Systems
Website →Phone: (701) 328-5237 (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 North Dakota page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.