How to get an official septic permit, as-built drawing, or pumping history for a property in Schoharie County.
FIPS code: 36095Records access: By County Health RequestTurnaround: 2 – 5 business days
Schoharie County doesn’t publish septic records online.
You can still obtain them easily. The official environmental health authority provides copies upon public records request — the verified steps are detailed below.
How to request septic records in Schoharie County
1
Have this information ready
• Street address of the property
• Tax Map & Parcel Number (APN)
• Subdivision name and original lot number
• Approximate year home was constructed
• Original builder or prior owner name (if known)
2
Submit your inquiry to the health department
Contact
the environmental health specialist at Schoharie County Environmental Health Department by phone at (518) 402-7650
or visit their office in person at Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12237.
Request a copy of both the original installation permit (Permit to Install) and the Approval for Use (as-built plot diagram).
3
Ready-to-use request letter template
To: Schoharie County Environmental Health Department
Subject: Public Records Request – Septic Permit & As-Built Drawing
Hello,
I am requesting copies of the septic system records on file for the following property in Schoharie County:
- Property Address: [Your Property Address]
- Parcel ID / APN: [Your Parcel Number]
- Subdivision / Lot: [Subdivision Name, Lot #]
- Approximate Year Built: [Year]
Specifically, I would like to receive:
1. The original subsurface sewage disposal installation permit (showing approved bedroom count and tank capacity).
2. The as-built drawing / plot plan indicating the location of the septic tank, distribution box, and absorption drainfield.
3. Any recorded pumping or inspection reports on file.
Please let me know if any administrative fee is required. Thank you for your assistance.
If the county has no record
Older systems were frequently installed before permits were recorded. These alternative sources can still locate your tank and drainfield:
Your home inspection reportIf you bought the property recently, the pre-purchase inspector may have noted the tank lid location and operational condition.
The seller’s disclosure statementPrior owners frequently document the system capacity, installer, and date of last septic pumping on real estate disclosures.
A licensed septic pumperLocal pumpers maintain internal dispatch histories and can electronically locate or probe an unpermitted underground tank.
Yard surface indicatorsLocate where the primary 4-inch sewer line exits the crawlspace or basement wall. The septic tank is almost always 10 to 20 feet in line.
Schoharie County Minimum Setbacks & Rates
Drinking Well Setback50 feet min.Standard buffer distance to protect groundwater supply.
Property Boundary Setback10 feet min.Clearance required from property boundaries and easements.
Average Pumping Cost$350 – $650Local rates for 1,000-gallon tank cleanouts.