Cities with their own septic system program If you live in one of these cities, contact your city directly for septic system questions: Dayton: 763-427-4589 Hopkins: 952-935-8474 Independence: 763-479-0527 Loretto: 763-479-4305 Medina: 763-473-4643 New Hope: 763-531-5100 Orono: 952-249-4600 Richfield: 612-861-9700 St. Louis Park: 952-924-2500 Woodland: 952-474-4755 Residents of these cities should contact Hennepin County for septic system questions Bloomington Brooklyn Center Brooklyn Park Champlin Corcoran Crystal Deephaven Eden Prairie Edina Excelsior Golden Valley Greenfield Greenwood Hanover Long Lake Maple Grove Maple Plain Medicine Lake Minneapolis Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Minnetonka Minnetonka Beach Minnetrista Mound Osseo Plymouth Robbinsdale Rockford Rogers Shorewood St. Anthony St. Bonifacius Spring Park Tonka Bay Wayzata Printable map Hennepin County septic system map (PDF, 1MB)
Abandonment of a septic system Properly disposing of a septic tank (abandonment) Criteria for a Hennepin County abandonment The abandonment has no new construction (stand-alone abandonment) Septic systems in your city are regulated by the county Inspections and required steps Along with payment, submit a septic abandonment permit application (PDF, 1MB). Once you receive a permit: Have the tank pumped using a licensed pumper/maintainer Take photos of the tank either crushed, filled with rock, or removed Complete the abandonment reporting form Within 90 days of completing the previous steps, email these documents: Invoice from licensed pumper/maintainer showing they pumped the tank before abandonment Photos of the tank either crushed, filled with rock, or removed Completed abandonment reporting form (DOC, 1MB) Email documents to epi-envhlth@hennepin.us and terry.hamal@hennepin.us. If you follow the instructions above, we typically do not do an onsite inspection. Questions Contact Terry Hamal at terry.hamal@hennepin.us or 612-543-5249.
Finding a licensed septic system professional Septic professionals must be currently licensed by the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issues the licenses. Search for a licensed professional.
Selling a property with a septic system In Hennepin County, selling your home doesn't require a septic system inspection. By state law you must properly disclose to the buyer information about the septic system. A well-informed buyer will want a thorough inspection. Many lenders require a compliance inspection before they issue a mortgage. Find a licensed inspector.
Ordinance summary County inspections Systems the county inspects New septic systems New septic tanks or holding tanks Current septic systems under investigation because of a complaint The county doesn't inspect septic systems needing a compliance inspection report. For this you must contract with a private septic professional. Certificates of compliance Existing systems: Compliance inspection report valid for three years New systems: Certificate of compliance valid for five years Notice of noncompliance Three years to upgrade septic. An imminent health threat must be addressed within 10 days and fixed within 10 months. An imminent health threat means sewage surfaces to the ground or backs into the home. Building permits Subject to either septic permit approval or compliance inspection: All building permits for new commercial or new residential structures Any permits for bedroom(s) additions, any additions or remodeling of commercial facilities where water use will increase Any permits for a major addition or remodel of a home or building on the property, if the drainfield lies within the shoreland or wellhead protection area. Check your city for shoreland and wellhead protection areas. Older septic systems Septic systems built before January 23, 1996 are compliant if they meet two criteria: Two feet of soil separation is provided It is not classified as an imminent health threat. This means sewage surfaces above ground or backs into the home. This provision excludes: Shoreland areas Food, beverage, and lodging facilities Wellhead protection areas New construction Wetland requirement Septic drainfields or mounds must be set back 50 feet from a wetland that's type three or higher. Warrantied systems Warrantied systems are not allowed. See warrantied systems under MN Statutes Chapter 115.55.
Septic system information Individual Sewage Treatment Systems MN Rule 7080 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency U.S Environmental Protection Agency
Potential loans for septic repairs Agricultural best management practices loan program Farmers, rural landowners and agricultural supply businesses can apply for low-interest loans through Hennepin County to make improvements or implement practices that will reduce or prevent nonpoint source pollution. These practices can assist with failing septic system repairs, or agricultural management practices that reduce sediment or nutrient run-off. The county works with local banks to provide these loans. Agricultural best management practices loan program Contact Kevin Ellis Conservation Specialist Hennepin County Environment and Energy kevin.ellis@hennepin.us Phone: 612-382-3956 Home repairs This is for a no interest loan but has income requirements. Home repairs Contact healthyhomes@hennepin.us Phone: 612-543-4182