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Northumberland County, PA Septic Records & Permits

How to get an official septic permit, as-built drawing, or pumping history for a property in Northumberland County.

FIPS code: 42097 Records access: By County Health Request Turnaround: 2 – 5 business days
Northumberland County doesn’t publish septic records online. In Pennsylvania, under Act 537, onsite sewage permits are not issued by county governments in most counties. Permits and soil percolation tests are issued directly by certified municipal Sewage Enforcement Officers (SEOs) appointed by each township or borough. Copies are provided upon public records request — the verified steps are detailed below.

How to request septic records in Northumberland 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 Northumberland Municipal Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) / PA DEP Act 537 by phone at (717) 787-8184 or visit their office in person at Rachel Carson State Office Bldg, 400 Market St, Harrisburg, PA 17101 / Local Township Office. 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: Northumberland Municipal Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) / PA DEP Act 537 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 Northumberland 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 report If you bought the property recently, the pre-purchase inspector may have noted the tank lid location and operational condition.
The seller’s disclosure statement Prior owners frequently document the system capacity, installer, and date of last septic pumping on real estate disclosures.
A licensed septic pumper Local pumpers maintain internal dispatch histories and can electronically locate or probe an unpermitted underground tank.
Yard surface indicators Locate 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.

Northumberland County Minimum Setbacks & Rates

Drinking Well Setback 50 feet min. Standard buffer distance to protect groundwater supply.
Property Boundary Setback 10 feet min. Clearance required from property boundaries and easements.
Average Pumping Cost $350 – $650 Local rates for 1,000-gallon tank cleanouts.