Septics & Plan Reviews - Information, Forms, and Applications

SEPTIC MATTERS

Before contacting the Health Inspector, please read the information on the page below all the way to the "Septic System FAQs", a document which was created by the Health Inspector to address the most common questions about septics. If you still do not see the information you require, please contact the Health Inspector as follows:

  • EMAIL - septics@co.bergen.nj.us (for septic-related questions ONLY)
  • CALL - 201-634-2730 (REHS Duty Officer line, for information regarding septics or otherwise)

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PLAN REVIEWS

NJ State Code specifies that a Plan Review may take up to 30 days. The Health Department makes every effort to complete Plan Reviews expeditiously; however, ALL applications to the Health Department are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.Please keep in mind if you submit a REVISED plan, that plan also has a 30 day window for review. Your engineer will be the first person notified that a plan has been approved or rejected, so check with your engineer for any updates. The Health Inspector will contact the architect upon completion of an Architectural Plan Review, so you may check with your architect for any updates on those. 

PROCESS FOR SALE OF PROPERTY WITH A SEPTIC

For guidance on the CAO approval process, contact the Fire Prevention office directly at 201-337-8111 ext. 2025.

SUBMISSION OF MATERIALS TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT

All submissions to the Health Department must include ALL required materials and fees in one packet in order to be processed. All submissions are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore permits and other documentation will not be immediately issued upon submission. 

METHODS OF SUBMISSION

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DROPBOX, IN-PERSON, OR VIA MAIL

The Health Department Dropbox is located in the back of One Municipal Plaza in the downstairs vestibule inside the glass door. You may drop off complete packets at the Health Department window, or you may mail complete packets to Borough of Oakland, Health Department, One Municipal Plaza, Oakland, NJ 07436. Please be sure all required materials and fees, where applicable, are included in the packet. Incomplete packets or materials will be tacked to the bulletin board in the downstairs vestibule for you to pick up, complete and resubmit for processing.

DO NOT EMAIL OR FAX DOCUMENTS FOR PACKETS SEPARATELY

Applications must be submitted in complete packets with accompanying fees. Documents submitted without fees and/or other items that are required for the application will not be processed.  

SUBMITTING SEPTIC PLANS FOR REVIEW

The septic engineer who designed the plan will submit the plan and a Plan Submissions form (as of 4/4/2022) to the Health Inspector. Per State Code, the plans will be reviewed by the Health Inspector within 30 days of receipt. The engineer is the point-of-contact for the Health Inspector and will be contacted when the plan review is complete. All submissions are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis only. 

SUBMITTING ARCHITECTURAL PLANS FOR REVIEW

For architectural additions or changes to your property that required the Health Inspector's approval, please submit the following to the Health Department in one complete packet:

  • A copy of the plans, drawn to scale
  • A survey with the plans added, drawn to scale, showing the distance from the proposed structural changes to all of the septic components
  • Plan Submissions Form (as of 4/4/2022)
  • Cash or a check made payable to Borough of Oakland for $80

The plans and the survey submitted to the Health Inspector must be to scale or they cannot be reviewed. Once a complete packet is submitted to the Health Department, the plans will be reviewed within 20 business days of receipt, per code. All submissions are reviewed on a first-come-first-served basis only, and cannot be expedited. 

SUBMITTING SEPTIC REPAIR PERMIT APPLICATIONS

The Oakland-licensed contractor must submit the Septic Repair Permit Application Packet forms with the accompanying fee to our dropbox, in-person or by mail. Upon the Health Inspector's approval, a permit will be issued to the contractor.

For the Septic Repair Permit Application Packet forms, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

SUBMITTING SEPTIC INSTALLATION PERMIT APPLICATION PACKETS

The Oakland-licensed septic installation contractor may only submit the Septic Installation Permit Application Packet forms with all required documents and fee to obtain a septic installation permit after the Health Inspector has approved the septic plan that was submitted by the septic engineer. The engineer is notified by the Health Inspector when the plan is approved or rejected and which documents the contractor must submit with the septic installation permit application packet and fee.          

PLEASE NOTE: Septic installation permits will only be issued to the owner of the business that is licensed to install septics in Oakland. Septic Installation licenses are non-transferrable. No work is to be delegated to a subcontractor or other entity. An authorized installer must be present at all inspections or the inspection will not be conducted. 

PLEASE NOTE: ALL materials for a septic installation permit MUST be submitted together with payment in one packet with the Septic Permit Application form and the Plan Submissions Form by the contractor. 

PLEASE NOTE: FOR SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS WITH ATUs ONLY: 1. An installation with and ATU requires a Deed Restriction. For your convenience, there is a template that you or your attorney may access at the bottom of this page. We cannot assist you in completing a Deed Restriction, as it is a legal document and we are not qualified to give legal advice; and, 2. An installation with an ATU requires the contractor to provide a written letter of certification from the manufacturer of the particular type of unit stating that the contractor has sufficient knowledge to install that specific proprietary technology.  

After obtaining the Health Inspector's approval for the septic plan, the Oakland-licensed contractor must collect all documentation that is then required by the Health Inspector and submit it, in one complete packet along with any fees due, via the Health Department Dropbox, by mail, or in-person at the Health Department service window.. Incomplete packets will be tacked to the bulletin board in the lower-level vestibule for the contractor to pick up for completion. Complete packets will be processed and issued on a first-come-first-served basis only.

IMPORTANT - CONTRACTORS PLEASE NOTE: You must keep track of the expiration for your documents and submit updated documentation for your liability insurance, bond, and contractor's license. Expired documentation would result in your permit being delayed until the current documentation is submitted by you. 

For the Septic Installation Permit Application Packet forms, please scroll to the documents at the bottom of this page. 

HOW TO BECOME A SEPTIC INSTALLER IN OAKLAND

You may schedule an appointment with the Health Department Secretary to take the Septic Installer's Examination at 201-337-9254. The exam costs $100.00, payable at the time of the exam. You may study for the exam by reviewing the State Septic Code N.J.A.C 7: 9a (see link above). If you fail the exam, there will be a $50.00 fee to re-take it. If you pass the exam, you will then need to apply for an Installer's License by submitting the required packet of information and accompanying fee for the current year via our dropbox, in-person or via mail. If the application is complete you will be issued a license. 

For the Septic Installer's License Application Form, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

BECOMING A LICENSED SEPTIC CONTRACTOR & PUMPER

LICENSED SEPTIC CONTRACTORS

  • Only Septic Contractors licensed to work in the Borough of Oakland (see list below) may repair, alter and construct septic systems in Oakland, and ALL WORK MUST BE PERMITTED AND INSPECTED by the Health Department. PLEASE NOTE: Septic Inspections must be scheduled with the Health Inspector, who must be given at least 12 hours notice for an inspection appointment. 
  • To become a licensed septic contractor in Oakland, you must pass the Septic Installer's Exam (see above) and then submit a complete packet with the application form to the Health Department. The required documentation is listed on the application. 
  • Septic Contractor's Licenses require complete renewal application packets to be submitted to the Health Department annually in December.
  • Contractors are responsible to keep current their bond, liability insurance, contractor's license, and any other documentation required in order to obtain permits. 

NOTE for Contractors: If you have passed the Septic Installer's Exam and would like to obtain an application to become a Licensed Septic Installer in Oakland, please scroll to the bottom of this page to obtain the Application for License for Septic Installer form.

LICENSED SEPTIC CLEANERS/PUMPERS

  • Only Septic Cleaners licensed to work in the Borough of Oakland (see list below) may pump septic systems in Oakland. 
  • Septic Cleaner's Licenses require complete renewal application packets to be submitted to the Health Department annually in December.

NOTE for Contractors: To become an Oakland-Licensed Septic Cleaner, please scroll to the bottom of this page to obtain the Application for license for Septic Cleaner form.

FINDING AN OAKLAND-LICENSED SEPTIC CLEANER OR INSTALLER

For a list of Oakland-Licensed Septic Cleaners/Pumpers or Oakland-Licensed Septic Installer/Contractors, please scroll to bottom of this page.