State guide
Oregon
Oregon’s onsite wastewater program is run by DEQ, but most residential septic permitting is delegated to county agents. DEQ directly permits residential and small business septic systems in Curry, Jackson, and Josephine counties from the Medford office.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- Oregon DEQ regulates onsite wastewater statewide, but many counties act as DEQ contract agents for permitting, inspections, and enforcement.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- For site evaluations, DEQ staff or a county onsite agent evaluates the required test pits and site conditions; applicants typically must provide the pits.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- State fee
- Site evaluation, single-family dwelling, first lot: $1,121.00
Official resources in Oregon
State program hub for rules, records, contacts, permitting, certification, and financial-aid information.
Official permit page for residential and small business septic applications, especially for DEQ’s Medford-office counties.
Explains that DEQ contracts with counties to permit onsite systems and provides the county-agent contact page residents use.
Current statewide fee tables for site evaluations, permits, licenses, and related onsite services.
Searchable statewide database of licensed onsite septic installer and pumper businesses.
Key facts for Oregon
- DEQ directly manages residential septic permitting in Curry, Jackson, and Josephine counties.
- DEQ says the other 33 counties use local jurisdictions under contract for residential and small business septic permitting.
- A site evaluation is the first step to get a construction-installation permit for an onsite system.
- DEQ or a county agent evaluates test pits and site constraints to determine septic suitability.
- Current onsite fee tables are effective July 1, 2026.
- The statewide site-evaluation fee for a single-family dwelling first lot is $1,121.00.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Oregon
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEQ Medford Office Residential Septic Permitting | Medford | Not published* | DEQ directly permits residential and small business septic systems in Curry, Jackson, and Josephine counties; Medford office is by appointment only. |
| Lane County On-Site Wastewater Lane | Eugene | 541-682-6980 | County onsite wastewater program regulating installation, repair, alteration, and maintenance of septic systems. |
| Clackamas County Septic and Onsite Wastewater Program Clackamas | Oregon City | 503-742-4740 | County program page for septic permits, site evaluations, inspections, forms, and county fee schedule. |
| Clackamas County How to Apply for a Permit: Septic Clackamas | Oregon City | 503-742-4740 | Application page for site evaluations and construction permits, including required documents and septic contact information. |
| Deschutes County Environmental Soils/Septic Systems Deschutes | Bend | Not published* | County contact listing for the septic and soils program used by residents with onsite wastewater questions. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- First identify whether your county is a DEQ direct-service county or a contract county; then file with that local onsite agent.
- Have test pits prepared where directed before scheduling a site evaluation, because the evaluator reviews pits rather than a traditional perc-only test.
- Check county-specific forms, schedules, and surcharges even though DEQ sets statewide rule tables.
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 Oregon's population center, for comparison only):
- Thurston County Septic Systems, Washington · about 155 miles
- Kitsap Public Health Drinking Water & Onsite Sewage, Washington · about 196 miles
- Snohomish County Health Department Septic Permitting, Washington · about 225 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Management Program
Website →Phone: (541) 776-6010 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Association of Oregon Counties →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Oregon page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.