District of Columbia Septic Records & Permits

Search septic permits, as-built drawings and pumping reports filed with county environmental health departments across District of Columbia. Each record links to the county’s official document.

State agency: DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) Governing rule: DCMR Title 21 (Water & Sanitation) & DC Plumbing Code

1 County / Federal District

1 With digital permit search

50 ft Required well setback

$0 Public records access fee

District of Columbia Municipal Sewer & Onsite Wastewater Governance:

The District of Columbia is a single federal district with no county subdivisions. Over 99.9% of the District is served by the DC Water (District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority) municipal sewer system leading to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant. Under DCMR Title 21 (Water & Sanitation) and the District of Columbia Construction Codes, connection to the public sewer is mandatory wherever available, and new septic systems are virtually never permitted. Legacy onsite wastewater systems and groundwater protection are overseen by the DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) Water Quality Division. Property permit histories, plumbing permits, and certificates of occupancy dating back to 1877 can be searched online via the DC Department of Buildings (DOB) Scout Portal.

Select a county in District of Columbia

1 jurisdiction available by records request

County Records Availability Action

District of Columbia DC Department of Energy & Environment (DOEE) Water Quality Division / DC Water

As-Built Guide • Replacement Costs

Digital Records

Permits

District of Columbia Septic Rules & Setback Standards

All subsurface sewage disposal systems in District of Columbia are governed by DCMR Title 21 (Water & Sanitation) & DC Plumbing Code. Authorized systems must maintain strict minimum horizontal clearance:

Private Drinking Well

50 feet min.

Property Line

10 feet min.

House Foundation

10 feet min.

Water Body / Stream

50 feet min.