Resource · Cincinnati, OH
Greater Cincinnati Septic Permits and Code Requirements, by County
Each Greater Cincinnati county runs its own Sewage Treatment System (STS) program under Ohio EPA and Ohio Department of Health authority. Pumping never requires a permit. New installation, system replacement, drain-field replacement, riser additions, and most repairs require a permit and inspection by the county health department.
The table below summarizes the permit authority, current minimum tank size for new residential installs, perc-test posture, and typical permit-issuance timeline for each county in our service area. Code changes; verify with the county health department before any work that touches the system structurally.
| County | Permit authority | Min tank / perc-test / typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Hamilton, OH | Hamilton County Public Health · STS Program ↗ | 1,000 gal min residential. Perc test required for new permits. Permit issuance 1-3 weeks for residential. |
| Warren, OH | Warren County Combined Health District ↗ | 1,000 gal min residential, 1,500 gal for 4+ bedrooms. Perc test required. Permit issuance 2-4 weeks. |
| Clermont, OH | Clermont County General Health District ↗ | 1,000 gal min residential. Aerobic treatment unit (ATU) common for streamside and high-water-table lots. Permit issuance 1-3 weeks. |
| Butler, OH | Butler County General Health ↗ | 1,000 gal min residential. Perc test required. Permit issuance 2-4 weeks. |
| Campbell, KY | Northern Kentucky Health District ↗ | 750-1,000 gal min residential depending on bedroom count. Perc test required. KY-side lot evaluation runs ~3-6 weeks. |
On-site work requires a state-licensed Sewage Treatment System (STS) installer and (for repair work) a registered service provider. Partner-network contractors hold the appropriate Ohio or Kentucky credentials for each county listed above and pull permits on behalf of homeowners. If the county changes its requirements (Hamilton last revised in 2023; Warren in 2024), partner contractors flag the change and adjust scope before the on-site quote.
Routine pump-out is exempt from permit requirements in every county above. Major work (drain-field replacement, ATU install, distribution-box relocation) always requires a permit. Simple riser installs do not require a permit in most counties but do still require a state-licensed installer.
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