Office Hours
Monday – Thursday
8:00am – 5:00pm
Closed for Lunch 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Closed for Staff Meeting on Thursday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Closed Fridays and Most Major Holidays
Applications may be accepted on Fridays
at the Surveyor's Office
Please direct questions to:
(541) 247-3304
septicpermits@co.curry.or.us
Email is preferred
Residential On-Site Septic Program
The On-Site Septic Program, sometimes referred to as On-Site Sanitation, or just On-Site Program, is administered by the County through authority granted by the State's Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The County is obligated through this authority to apply DEQ regulations and requirements.
Curry County contracts with Josephine County to process Curry County’s applications. Applicants apply to Curry County, but Josephine County processes the paperwork, conducts field inspections, and serves as the contact for any questions about the applications or related inspections.
The On-Site Septic Program is utilized for rural development where no public sewer is available. Because state land use laws limit these types of public facilities in rural zones, it is the only established and approved method of sewerage disposal in these areas. In urban areas, such as incorporated cities, a public sewer system is typically available and is the system of choice for higher density development.
The program requires three (3) primary steps to legally establish a system associated with a rural zone development. First, a site evaluation must be performed using specific criteria or rules. An applicant initiates the process by applying to Curry County for a site evaluation, including providing fees, a site plan map for the property indicating the desired location of the system, and a minimum of two (2) test holes dug in the area desired for the system. Once a site evaluation is complete by Josephine County staff and approved based on evaluation of the test holes provided, an application for construction can be made.
The application to Curry County for construction also includes fees and is specific to the type of system approved for the site. Lastly, a series of inspections is conducted to ensure the system is installed properly by measuring such items as slope across the septic lines and leveling of the tank. The complexity of the system required and the physical features of the site determine the number of site inspections needed. For the most simple systems, one or two inspections are usually required. For more complicated systems, such as a sand filter, multiple inspections may be necessary.
On this page you will find forms and a fee schedule. Be advised forms and fees do change occasionally, so be sure to use the latest form posted on this page. To apply for the site evaluation, construction of the system, or to submit any application, please do so by sending the paperwork and fee (On-Site Septic Fees) to:
Curry County On-Site Program
94235 Moore Street, Ste. 113
Gold Beach, OR 97444
septicpermits@co.curry.or.us
Applications may also be submitted on-line from the Oregon ePermitting Website at: https://aca-oregon.accela.com/oregon/
Directions for how to use the Oregon ePermitting website: https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/epermitting/howto/Pages/index.aspx
Oregon Records Management Solutions (Document view/download)
How to Use the Oregon Records Management Solutions:
https://ormswd2.synergydcs.com/HPRMWebDrawer/help/index
For questions about the application, or other technical matters, please contact Josephine County at: (541) 474-5444 or onsiteseptic@josephinecounty.gov
For commercial applications and questions, contact your local DEQ Office: (541) 269-2721, ext. 233.
For complaints about the program, please contact Mark Stevenson, Josephine County Community Development Director at: (541) 474-5444.
Septic System Repair Loans
DEQ is once again partnering with Craft3, a nonprofit lender, to provide affordable onsite septic system loans starting November 1, 2021 across Oregon. These loans enable homeowners to finance septic system repair and replacement for aging and failing systems. They cover all eligible permitting, design and installation costs; they have lower rates and flexible terms for lower-income borrowers, including borrowers who may not have perfect credit. For systems requiring ongoing maintenance the loans include reserves for maintenance and repairs.
You can learn more about Clean Water Loans on Craft3’s website - www.Craft3.org/CleanWaterOre
Septic Application Flow Chart
APPLICATION PACKETS
Site Evaluation Packet
Construction Application Packet
Authorization Notice Packet
Repair Permit Packet
Alteration Permit Packet
Planning Clearance Packet - Septic Only (For Use if required in one of the above application packets)
Notice Authorizing Representative
Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS)
Statement of Site Status
Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER) Form
List of Existing System Evaluation Report (ESER) Installers
Tank Abandonment Form
Annual Operation & Maintenance Report Form
Holding Tank Pumping Record
Other Useful Links:
Department of Environmental Quality
Septic Homeowner Guide
Curry County Septic Installers / Maintenance Providers
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Rules
Septic Systems Handout
Authorization Notice for Septic Systems
Authorization Notice Application Guidance
Site Evaluation Guide for Septic Systems
Construction/Installation Permit Guide for Septic Systems
Repair Permit Guide for Septic Systems
Alteration Permit Guide for Septic Systems
Capping Fill Drainfield Guide
Keeping Your Onsite System Healthy & Happy
On-Site Wastewater System Inspection List
Operation & Maintenance Requirements
Pressure Distribution Guide
Sand Filter System Guide
Test Pit Preparation for On-Site Evaluations