Use the property jurisdiction
Start with the county that contains the property. In Elkhart County, the Elkhart County Health Department (ECHD) reviews onsite septic installation, repair and replacement. A mailing city such as Elkhart, Goshen or Middlebury does not by itself settle jurisdiction or public sewer availability.
Use the official ECHD septic permits page for county process questions.
- Confirm the county and township that contain the parcel, not just the mailing city.
- Confirm whether the property is served by public sewer or an onsite system.
- Direct Elkhart County process questions to ECHD.
Installation and repair review
ECHD's published process covers onsite system installation. It includes soil evaluation, minimum requirements, a drawing or application, and a permit before covered components are installed. Repair and replacement procedures differ from new construction, so confirm the project-specific scope with ECHD.
Experimental technology requires an operating permit and a maintenance contract for the life of the system; operating permits run for three years and renew with an in-effect service contract and fee. Do not apply that requirement to every conventional household.
Routine pumping and maintenance visits are separate from this construction review.
- Soil evaluation for the proposed system area.
- Minimum requirements review for the site and system type.
- Drawing or application submitted to ECHD.
- Permit issued before covered component installation begins.
Published construction permit fees
The county fee ordinance effective April 1, 2026, lists the fees below for residential septic construction and for repair or replacement. These are government permit fees only, not contractor pumping or installation prices. Verify current amount and applicability with ECHD before you apply.
| Residential permit type | On-time fee | Late fee |
|---|---|---|
| Construction permit | $300 | $900 |
| Repair or replacement permit | $300 | $900 |
Request existing septic records
County septic information includes a septic lookup request. Permit drawings and past service records can help identify existing components, system type and prior work before you plan a service visit.
Repair or replacement soil investigations may be done by county staff or a registered soil scientist. Existing records, the application and the parcel determine the project path.
Records describe what was permitted or recorded at a point in time. They are not a current condition assessment and do not confirm today's operation.
- Request the septic lookup from the ECHD resource page.
- Note the permit date, system type and any recorded components.
- Keep records available for a qualified professional to review.
- Treat records as history, not a guarantee of current condition.
Prepare questions for the county
A short, specific question set helps ECHD route your request and gives you a clear answer. Have parcel details and proposed work ready before you call or submit anything.
ECHD review and approval are determined by the county based on the parcel and project. Nothing on this page promises or predicts an approval outcome.
- What is the exact parcel number and property address?
- What work is proposed: new installation, repair, or replacement?
- Are existing septic records or prior permits on file for this parcel?
- Who handles the application, and what documents must be submitted?
- What inspection steps apply to this specific project?