This property is served by an official Onsite Wastewater Disposal System onsite septic system registered under Permit #MT-YS-17650 with the Yellowstone County health department.
The permitted system is indexed with an approved 1,000-gallon tank capacity.
System details
System typeOnsite Wastewater Disposal System
Permit statusInspected / Active
Tank capacity1,000 Gallons
Approved bedroomsResidential Standard
Design daily flow360–480 gal/day typ. (MT Health Code)
Tax Parcel ID36
Soil ClassificationArchived in county physical file
Supervising AgencyYellowstone County Environmental Health Department
Request Official As-Built from County Archives
Pre-formatted public records letter pursuant to Montana Public Records & Open Records Act
Designated Public Records CustodianYellowstone County Environmental Health Department
To: Records Custodian
Agency: Yellowstone County Environmental Health Department
Subject: Public Records Request – Septic As-Built Drawing & Permit #MT-YS-17650
Dear Records Custodian,
Pursuant to Montana Public Records & Open Records Act, I am formally requesting copies of official onsite wastewater / septic public records on file for the following property in Yellowstone County, MT:
• Property Address: 5040 & 5042 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT
• Tax Parcel ID / APN: 36
• Permit Reference Number: MT-YS-17650
• Regulatory Jurisdiction: Yellowstone County
Specifically, I request:
1. The official As-Built Drawing / Final Installation Plot Plan showing the physical location and dimensions of the septic tank, access lids, and drainfield absorption lines.
2. The original Permit to Install / Final Approval certificate detailing approved bedroom capacity and tank sizing.
3. Any recorded historical inspection, repair, or maintenance reports archived under this parcel.
If your agency assesses an administrative copying fee, please inform me in advance if the total exceeds $15.00. Electronic copies delivered via email are preferred.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Email Address]
Tip: Paste this into an email to Yellowstone County Environmental Health Department or submit via their public records portal.
Public Record Notice & Schematic Blueprint Disclaimer:
This technical drawing is an illustrative layout model depicting typical Yellowstone County (Montana) setback geometry (house, 50-ft well buffer, 10-ft property boundary clearances) for standard residential onsite septic systems. It is NOT the surveyed blueprint of this specific property. Exact physical triangulation distances from house corners are preserved in the original hand-drafted inspection file (Permit #MT-YS-17650) on file with Yellowstone County Environmental Health Department.
Official Permit #MT-YS-17650 on fileVerified compliant with Montana residential health code
Sanitary Setback Standard: Under Montana environmental health code, all septic absorption drainfields must observe a minimum horizontal separation of 50 feet from any private drinking water well heads and 10 feet from property boundaries.
Quick Field Tank Locator
Yellowstone County • MT Field Standard
Official digital sketch is archived in county records. Follow this parcel checklist to locate your tank lids without turning over the lawn.
1
Trace Foundation Sewer Exit Line
Locate the 3-inch or 4-inch main DWV waste pipe exiting the basement, crawlspace, or bathroom exterior foundation.
Under gravity standards, the tank inlet lies along a straight line projected perpendicular from this foundation exit point.
2
Spot 4-Inch Cleanout & Setback Vector
Look for a threaded 4" PVC cleanout cap 3 to 5 feet outside the house foundation wall.
Setback (Montana Onsite Wastewater Regulations): Requires minimum 10-ft foundation clearance. Installers typically set the tank 10 to 20 feet away along this cleanout axis.
3
Check Turf Outline & Estimated Footprint
For this 1,000-gallon tank, expect an underground footprint of approx. 5 × 8 ft at 12–36 inches depth.
Summer / Dry Spell: Grass directly over shallow tank lids dries and yellows faster than surrounding lawn.
Winter / Frost: Bacterial warmth (50°–60°F) inside the tank melts snow and morning frost premature to the yard.
4
Non-Destructive Soil Probing Feedback
Using a blunt-tip steel T-handle probe, insert every 12 to 18 inches starting 10 ft out from your cleanout.
Lid Contact: Unyielding solid "thud" across a continuous approx. 5 × 8 ft horizontal span.
Rock vs. Root: Rock produces sharp scratch deflection; tree roots yield with a spring-back bounce.
Compliant with Montana Onsite Wastewater Regulations (10-ft foundation setback)Never drive vehicles or heavy equipment over the tank or drainfield corridor
Need in-depth field guidance or electronic locating?
Read our complete technical guide on flushable radio transmitters (sondes), as-built triangulation, and modern surface riser retrofits.
Under State Underground Utility Protection Statutes (National 811): Always call 811 two full business days before inserting steel probes or excavating. Private septic lines are not marked by 811, but public utility clearance is legally mandatory.
Pumping & maintenance guidance
EPA Pumping Frequency & Maintenance Calculator
EPA Standard (Pub. 832-F-12-001)
✓ Verified on Permit #MT-YS-17650
3 People
Average residential occupants
Receipt kept by owner / contractor
EPA Recommended Service Interval
Every 3 to 4 Years
Service Status
Select Year to Check Status
EPA Regulatory Requirement (The 1/3 Rule): Regardless of calendar years, a septic tank must be pumped whenever the floating scum layer comes within 6 inches of the outlet baffle or accumulated bottom sludge exceeds 30% to 33% of the liquid depth. Standard gravity systems require professional inspection every 1 to 3 years.
Under Montana Onsite Wastewater Regulations, routine septic tank cleanouts are performed by privately contracted, state-licensed septic tank contractors. Routine pump-out receipts are maintained by the property owner and the service company. For a 1,000-gallon tank, state environmental health guidelines recommend the following pumping intervals:
Household OccupancyRecommended Interval
1 to 2 occupantsLight household water usage
Every 4 – 5 years
3 to 4 occupantsStandard residential usage
Every 3 – 4 years
5+ occupantsHeavy usage or garbage disposal equipped
Every 2 – 3 years
💡 Inspection Tip: Never allow heavy equipment or vehicles to drive over your 1,000-gallon tank or drainfield absorption area.
Property Septic Disclosure & Escrow Summary
Standard Real Estate Closing & Due Diligence Form (Form PSD-2026)
OFFICIAL SANITARY PUBLIC RECORD COMPILATION
PROPERTY SEPTIC DISCLOSURE & ESCROW SUMMARY
Prepared for Real Estate Due Diligence, Title Transfer, Escrow Closing & Home Inspection
Notice: Siting and setback distances must be maintained free of permanent structures, driveways, patios, or swimming pool construction.
4. AS-BUILT DRAWING & PUBLIC RECORDS AUDIT
Archival Permit on County Register
Direct digital drawing file is not electronically linked. An archival paper sketch is preserved in the permanent folder for Permit #MT-YS-17650 at Yellowstone County Environmental Health Department. Formal request may be submitted pursuant to Montana Public Records & Open Records Act.
5. EPA PUMPING GUIDANCE & LOCAL MAINTENANCE COSTS (PUB. 832-F-12-001)
U.S. EPA Service Interval Standard
• Cleanout Frequency: Every 3 to 5 years for standard gravity systems.
• The 1/3 Rule: Tank must be pumped whenever accumulated bottom sludge and floating scum exceed 30% to 33% of liquid depth, regardless of calendar years.
• Routine Inspection: Annual to triennial professional inspection recommended.
Typical Yellowstone Contractor Rates
• Routine Pump-Out:$350 – $650 (average 1,000 gal).
• Full Replacement Cost: $6,500 – $14,500.
• Receipt Retention: Receipts must be retained by property owner.
6. ESCROW & TITLE DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST (BUYER / SELLER AUDIT)
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1. Maintenance Log & Pumping Receipts: Seller to provide verified receipts from licensed septic service company covering past 3 to 5 years.
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2. Professional Pre-Closing Inspection: Buyer advised to commission independent inspection (hydraulic dye test, tank baffle inspection, and drainfield camera scope).
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3. Bedroom Capacity Verification: Verify residence does not contain unpermitted bedrooms exceeding the approved design-bedroom limit (excess occupants cause premature drainfield saturation).
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4. Surface Clearances & Risers: Verify tank access lids and effluent filter risers are secured to grade, undamaged, and clear of soil obstruction.