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WW Permit- Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need a Wastewater & Potable Water Permit?

Situations Where You May Need a Permit

  • Subdividing your property: You may need a permit unless the new lots will remain undeveloped and have a “Notice of Permit Requirements” in the deed or land records.
  • Building a new water supply or wastewater system: A permit is required for new construction.
  • Modifying or replacing an existing system: If you update an existing water or wastewater system, you will need a permit.
  • Building or modifying a structure connected to water/wastewater systems: This includes adding new buildings or changing existing ones, such as adding a bedroom, which may increase water use and require a permit.
  • Connecting a new structure to an existing water or wastewater system: This also needs a permit.
  • Changing how a building is used: If it increases water use or changes system operations, like converting a seasonal home to year-round, you need a permit.
  • Replacing a structure on property with existing systems: You won’t need a permit if:
    • The new structure is connected to water/wastewater within 4 years.
    • The new structure is built within 50 feet of the old one.
    • The new structure has the same or fewer bedrooms.
  • Creating or modifying a campground: A permit is needed if there are 3 or more campsites, or changes to water/wastewater systems.
  • Using a failed water or wastewater system: Using a system that has failed requires a permit.
  • Starting construction of any of the above projects: “Starting construction” means any physical work on a building or its water/wastewater system, such as excavation or site work.

What Happens if You Don’t Get a Permit?

  • Property sale issues: Without a permit, there could be complications when selling the property.
  • Fines and legal fees: You could be fined and need a lawyer to resolve the issue.
  • System standards: If your system doesn’t meet state standards, you may have to pay for costly replacements.

Who Can Prepare the Application?

A licensed designer must design any water or wastewater system. There are different levels of designers:

  • Class 1 Designer: A professional engineer who can design any size system, including high-strength wastewater systems.
  • Class BW Designer: Can design systems for up to two single-family homes or other buildings with a water flow of 1350 gallons/day or less.
  • Class B Designer: Licensed for systems serving one single-family home, with a flow of 1350 gallons/day or less.
  • Class A Designer: Can design systems that do not need site modifications, with a flow of 1350 gallons/day or less.

A list of designers is available at licensed designers list.

What Can You Do Without a Permit?

Certain changes don’t need a permit, such as:

  • Boundary adjustments: Moving property lines.
  • Minor repairs or replacements: Fixing or replacing parts of a water or septic system.
  • Rebuilding a structure: If a building is rebuilt within 4 years of removal, no permit is needed.
  • Replacing a water supply: For single-family homes, you can replace a well without a permit, but you must file the location in the town land records.

What Can You Do to Your Water or Wastewater System Without a Permit?

You can make minor repairs like replacing pipes, pumps, or parts of a water/wastewater system without a permit.

For potable water systems, you can replace or repair pipes from the well to the building, replace pumps, or deepen a well.

For wastewater systems, you can replace a septic tank or pipes without needing a permit. But you must contact the Division before working on a leach field.

What Can You Do Inside Your Home?

If you have a single-family home, you can add bathrooms or plumbing fixtures without needing a permit, as long as the work stays inside the building and doesn’t involve exterior pipes.

Running a business from your home with no employees or regular public visits doesn’t need a permit.

What is a Failed Wastewater System?

A system has failed if wastewater is:

  • Exposed to the air,
  • Pooling on the ground,
  • Discharging into surface water, or
  • Backing up into a building.

Failed systems can cause illness due to pathogens and bacteria, so it’s important to repair them according to the Rules.

What Should You Do if Your Wastewater System Fails?

Contact a licensed designer to design a new system and submit a permit application. They may also meet with a Regional Engineer to discuss your options.

What is a Failed Water Supply?

A water supply has failed if:

  • Quality standards are not met (e.g., for coliform, nitrate, arsenic, uranium).
  • Quantity needs are not met (e.g., can’t run two plumbing fixtures at once).

What Should You Do if Your Water Supply Fails?

For non-public water supplies, you can treat for certain contaminants without a permit. You can also install a new potable water source without a permit in some cases (see "What Can I Do Without a Permit?").

What do I Need to Convert a Seasonal Home to Year-Round Home?

If you want to convert a seasonal home to year-round use, you’ll need a permit unless it was already occupied for at least 180 days in a calendar year between 1986 and 2006.

Can I Add an Accessory Apartment?

Adding an accessory apartment almost always requires a permit.  You should consult with a licensed designer for your permit or documentation needed for a permit exemption.

Can I Build a Deer Camp?

A primitive camp doesn’t need a permit if it’s occupied for no more than 60 days per year and meets these conditions:

  • Plumbing is limited to one sink,
  • No flush toilet is installed, and
  • Only sink water disposal is required.

You can also install a waterless toilet like a composting toilet. However, installing a soil-based wastewater system for the camp requires a permit.

If I have a property with an existing water and wastewater system but the house was torn down, removed or burned down, do I need a permit to build or place a manufactured home on this property and connect to the existing infrastructure?

  • These are the conditions and factors that determine whether a permit is required.

    • There are 4 years from the time the home was removed/demolished in order to re-establish connection to the existing infrastructure

      • Over 4 years – permit required

    • The new home must be built within 50 feet of the previous structure

      • Location outside the 50’ footprint – permit required

    • The new home must be the same or less bedrooms

      • More bedroom than demolished home – permit require