Recent legislation (SL 2023-108) has impacted the fee schedule for Wake County Watershed Management by providing for “applicants choice” of plan review fees for single family lot erosion control. Effective August 17, 2023, the sediment and erosion control plan review fee for single family residential lots will be calculated at $250/acre disturbed OR $100 per lot, whichever is less. 

This fee only applies to the review of erosion control plans for individual single family lot construction. All other plan review and permit fees remain unchanged. 

For any questions regarding this change, please contact Ashley Rodgers at Ashley.Rodgers@wake.gov or (919) 856-5531.

Wake County Environmental Services has made all necessary changes for compliance with recent legislation passed in Session Law 2023-90, approved July 10^th, 2023. This legislation made changes to the hybrid and private permitting options. Wake County Environmental Services has created a new application submission type for “Hybrid Wastewater Permits”, which is available on the Wake County Permit Portal.

Hybrid Wastewater Permitting (A2)

The Hybrid Wastewater Permitting pathway, commonly referred to as “A2” allow applicants to work with a Licensed Soil Scientist, Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator or Professional Engineer to complete some or all of the necessary work for issuance of an Improvement Permit and Construction Authorization Permit. Wake County Environmental Services staff still complete all required system inspections for issuance of the Operation Permit.

Examples of Permit Options:      

1)     Improvement Permit by (LSS/AOWE), Construction Authorization by (Wake County)

2)     Improvement Permit by (Wake County), Construction Authorization by (AOWE/PE)

3)     Improvement Permit by (LSS/AOWE), by Construction Authorization (AOWE/PE)

If using a licensed professional for either the Improvement Permit or Construction Authorization Permit, submission of the appropriate Common Form and supporting documentation from the appropriate licensed professional is required.

Legislation created a reduction in fees for the A2 permit submission; Construction Authorizations or the Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization combination permit will be assessed forty percent (40%) of the fees established in the fee schedule. Reductions in fees went into effect September 1, 2023, per the Session Law 2023-90. The legislation also made changes to the review completed for these permitting types, reducing the permit review time from 10 to 5 business days and limiting the review to a completeness review only. The Regulations Governing Wastewater Treatment and Dispersal Systems in Wake County are still required to be met with these submissions.

Professional Option Permitting

Session Law 2023-90 also made changes to the Professional Option Permitting pathway. The Professional Option Permit type is to be used with the following private sector permitting options available for on-site wastewater systems: Engineered Option Permit (EOP) under NCGS 130A-336.1 & NCAC 18A.1971 and Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator (AOWE) Permit under NCGS 130A-336.2.

Legislation created a reduction in fees for the Professional Option Permits capping the cost to a $35.00 Administrative Fee. Reductions in fees went into effect September 1, 2023, per the Session Law 2023-90. The legislation also made changes to the review previously completed for this permitting pathway, there is no longer a completeness review required to be completed by Wake County Environmental Service staff. Submission of a complete application and a Notice of Intent to Construct must be completed by the appropriate licensed professional. The Regulations Governing Wastewater Treatment and Dispersal Systems in Wake County are still required to be met with these submissions.

For any questions regarding this change, please contact Jill Perkins at Jill.Perkins@wake.gov or (919) 856-7342 or the Wastewater Information Specialist at Wastewater@wake.gov or (919) 856-7434.

In Wake County about 80,000 homes depend on septic systems. About half of those homes also have a private well. Many home buyers – both experienced homeowners and first-timer buyers – are not familiar with the responsibilities of managing their own water and wastewater systems. Informed real estate professionals can help. Wake County Environmental Services is pleased to offer a one-hour training to real estate agents on what they and their clients need to know about private wells, stormwater and septic systems. If you are a real estate professional who would like to be better able to advise your clients about these major systems, use this form to request a session for your office.

The Wake County Water Quality Division invites you to join the “Onsite Wastewater Installer and Designer Workshop” on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, from 1 pm to 5 pm, at the Wake County Commons Building located at 4401 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC. Parking at the Commons Building is free.

Representatives from Crumpler Plastic Pipe Inc., American Manufacturing Company, Inc. and T&J Panel, Inc. will present at the workshop and perform product demonstrations as needed.

The workshop is free and will be submitted to the North Carolina Registered Environmental Health Specialist board for 4 CE hours. More information at our Events page.



Wake County Water Quality | wake.gov/water