Cost-saving opportunity for homeowners
You may be eligible to reduce your septic system inspection frequency from once every 3 years to once every 5 years. We will not grant additional extensions.
1. You must meet these criteria.
- The septic system is a gravity or pump-to-gravity system.
- You own the property the system serves.
- The property is your permanent residence.
- The system was installed within the last 3 years or inspected within the last 3 years by a certified operation and maintenance specialist as a baseline inspection.
- If deficiencies were found, a certified operation and maintenance specialist corrected them all.
- The system does not have a vertical separation waiver.
- The property does not have a certificate of non-compliance recorded on its title.
- The property is not on a shoreline, as defined by Pierce County Code Title 18S.10.030 A.
2. Complete a training.
Register and join us for one of our classes—online or in person at the Health Department auditorium.
- Thursday, September 3, 2026, 5:30–7 p.m.
- Thursday, November 19, 2026, 2–3:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 7, 2027, 2–3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 7, 2027, 5:30–7 p.m.
3. Submit an attestation form.
- Go to Accela and log in or create a new account.
- Choose Create an application.
- Under Onsite sewage, choose Gravity waiver.
- Enter your property information.
- Sign the attestation form.
4. Receive notification.
We will contact you as soon as possible to tell you:
- Your system qualifies and the due date for your next inspection is 5 years from last inspection date.
- Or your system does not qualify and the due date for your next inspection is 3 years from last inspection date.
Questions?
Contact us at omseptic@tpchd.org or (253) 649-1421.