SepticSmart Program

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems & COVID-19

Our office is currently closed to the public; however, we are still conducting Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS) inspections. To schedule an inspection, please call 303-441-1564 and leave a voice message.

Most applications and payments can now be submitted online. Applications can also be mailed or dropped in the mailbox slot to the right of the Public Health front door at 3450 Broadway.

In Person

To submit an application for a Permit or Property Transfer, please drop it in the mailbox slot at:

3450 Broadway St.
Boulder, CO 80304

By Mail

To submit an application for Permit or Property Transfer, please mail the application, payment and any required documents to:

Boulder County Public Health
Water Quality Program
3450 Broadway St.
Boulder, CO 80304

Online

Submit your Application

Applications for Property Transfers and Permits can be submitted online. Payments can be made with:

• Electronic check ($1.00 fee)
• Credit card ($0.75 fee plus 2.25% of the total cost)

If you have questions about what permit type you need to apply for, please complete the questionnaire.

Please see the Property Transfers page and Forms and Applications page for additional requirements and information.

Tips for Applying Online for a Property Transfer

1. In order to apply online for a Property Transfer, you must register for an account.
2. After you’ve registered, log in using the username and password you’ve created.
3. Click on the “Environmental Health” tab at the top of the screen.
4. Click on “Create an Application.”
5. A Property Transfer Certificate is required for each septic system on the property and each requires its own fee.
6. Attach all documents, just as if you were applying in person, including a copy of the Property Transfer Application & Inspection Report.

Applications for a Conditional Property Transfer require the upload of the signed and notarized Repair Agreement Form.

Instructions for Applying Online for a Permit or Property Transfer

• Applying for an OWTS Permit
• Applying for a Property Transfer

Septic Professionals

Apply for Septic License

Groundwater Contamination

Septic systems are the second most frequently cited source of groundwater contamination in our country. Unapproved, aging, and failing septic systems have a large impact on the quality and safety of our water supply.

Risk Factors

Many factors put some areas with septic systems at greater risk than others, including the age of the system, how many other systems are nearby, the type of soil and slope of the ground the system is on, and the distance of the system from drinking or ground water.

Septic System Approval

All septic systems in Boulder County must be reviewed and approved by Boulder County Public Health water quality staff to ensure they are properly constructed and in good working order. The deadline for systems not currently approved to receive approval is December 31, 2023. The deadline may be sooner for septic systems in areas at greater risk of contamination to water supplies.

Regulations

Requiring an inspection of a property’s septic system at the time of property sale or transfer is one of the best strategies to assure systems are working properly and safely. The Boulder County Board of Health adopted a property transfer regulation in 2008 to ensure that any issues with the septic system are disclosed to the new buyer, and that the existing owner or new buyer will make the repairs within one year of the closing date.

Fees

• Permit & Fee Schedule
  • If paid by credit card, there is an additional fee of $.75 plus 2.25% of the total cost.

Open Data

• Open Data for Septic System Records