Environmental Health Services

Activities That Require Department Permit

Construction/extension of domestic water system (Public or Private)

Identifying a method or feasibility of sewage disposal, whether by an on-site system or public sewer, including the need for lift stations

Design, location & construction of any on-site wastewater treatment/disposal system

Construction, re-modeling or change in use of any structure utilizing an on-site wastewater treatment system

Handling, processing or disposal of solid waste, including composting and some recycling operations

Use of recycled water

Construction, re-modeling or change in use of a retail food facility (including beverages)

Special events involving food or beverage service

Construction or re-modeling of public swimming pools or spas, including decks and appurtenant facilities such as showers and restrooms - Public pools/spas include all except those serving a single private residence such as motels, condos, apartments

Construction of a structure or an operation likely to act as an attractant or breeding source for vectors such as mosquitoes, rodents or flies. Includes construction of: - Retention basins/irrigation ponds - Demolition of rodent-infested structures - Clearance of outdoor rodent harborages

Projects That Cannot Be Permitted

Occupancies or uses that require domestic water, but do not have an approved potable water source that can be piped to the project site

Inability to construct an onsite wastewater treatment system on the same parcel as the structure to be served, when public sewer is not available

Projects that cannot meet the Prohibitions of the RWQCB Basin Plan related to onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). These include but are not limited to: - Formation of new lots of less than 1 acre that require the use of OWTS - Use of OWTS on slopes greater than 30% - Use of OWTS in impermeable (clay) soils - Use of OWTS that do not meet minimum setbacks from groundwater, surface water or steep slopes

Department Permit Process

Complete application form for specific type of permit required with three sets of plans attached

- Most applications available on-line

- Applications not available on-line are also available at EHS office

Application is reviewed by specialist for compliance with state and county laws

If application meets criteria:

- Permit is approved; plans stamped and distributed

If application DOES NOT meet criteria:

- Minimum issues: Memo sent to applicant to provide additional information

- Major issues: Applicant to submit new plans

Contact

Santa Barbara
(805) 681-4900
225 Camino Del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110

Santa Maria
(805) 346-8460
2125 S. Centerpointe Pkwy #333
Santa Maria, CA 93455

www.sbcphd.org/ehs

We welcome your questions and comments on this site.

Created by the County of Santa Barbara for the benefit of its citizens and inhabitants.