APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SEPTIC OR WELL PERMITS
To complete a septic or well application through Jackson County Environmental Health with the Jackson County Department of Public Health, you will need to complete the following steps. Read more about the steps below to include the forms that need to be completed prior to an Environmental Health Specialist assisting you with the permitting process. For questions about any of these steps, call Jackson County Environmental Health at 828-587-8250 or -8253.
Step 1: Complete a Land Development Application
Land Development Applications can be completed through Jackson County Permitting and Code Enforcement. Offices for Jackson County Permitting and Code Enforcement are located in Sylva and Cashiers. To reach the Sylva Office, call 828-586-7560; to reach the Cashiers Office, call 828-745-6852. Make sure to include the following information in this application:
Name of the current property owner
Phone number of the current property owner
Address of property
If you are not the current property owner or if you wish to name someone other than yourself to meet with the inspectors at the site when evaluations are performed, please include the name, phone number, and address of that person as well.
After you have completed a Land Development Application, move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Collect Required Information and Complete the Application for Environmental Health Services
To accurately and completely fill out the Application for Environmental Health Services, you will need to collect the following information and include it on the Application for Environmental Health Services:
Property Information
PIN: This is a 10 digit number that usually begins with 7 or 8. It can be found on GoMaps or on tax documents.
911 address for the property
Development Name (if property is located in a development); Include section and lot number
Gate Code, if applicable
Development Information
If residential, is the request for a new single family home, expansion of an existing system, or repair to an existing system?
Number of bedrooms
Number of occupants
Other features to be included in the residential home (Mobile home? Basement? Basement with plumbing?)
If commercial, work with an Environmental Health Specialist to complete this section
Type/Service Requirements
Service(s) you are requesting
Restrictions that may apply
Type of water supply you have or will have
System Type(s)
Desired system type
Ensure that all of the aforementioned information is provided and that the Application for Environmental Health Services is completely filled out.
Step 3: Review and Complete Environmental Health Section Instructions for Applicant
Review the Wastewater and Well Application Checklist and Environmental Health General Information sheet. When completing the Application for Environmental Health Services a checkbox will be provided to indicate you have read, completed and understand the Wastewater and Well Application Checklist and Environmental Health General Information. Please note that if an Environmental Health Specialist visits your property and an item on the checklist is not completed, you may be charged a go-back fee as Specialists may be required to return to your property at a later date when all items on the checklist are completed to finalize evaluation for septic or well permit.
The second page of the application contains a signature page indicating the owner responsibilities and acknowledgment of the Wastewater and Well Application Checklist and Environmental Health General Information documents. The signature page provides for an option for the owner of the property to designate a legal representative for On-site Wastewater and Private Well communication with the Environmental Health office and specialists. If the owner wishes to designate an individual to sign the application and/or represent them during the evaluation and permitting process, then they will need to complete the Designation of Owner’s Legal Representative For On-Site Wastewater and Private Well section of the application or the Signature/Authorization for Environmental Health Services and submit it with the application.
A site plan or plat shall be submitted with an application indicating the locations of the following: (A) existing and proposed facilities, structures, appurtenances, and wastewater systems; (B) proposed wastewater system showing setbacks to property line(s) or other fixed reference point(s); (C) existing and proposed vehicular traffic areas; (D) existing and proposed water supplies, wells, springs, and water lines; and (E) surface water, drainage features, and all existing and proposed artificial drainage, as applicable. Click here for an example site plan. Click here for a Site Plan Template.
NOTE: A legal representative can be the proposed buyer, a real estate agent, private consultant, engineer, neighbor, family member or any other individual that will represent the owner during the application and permitting process. BOTH the owner and the legal representative must sign the form.
Step 4: Obtain a Survey (Plat)
A completed Application for Environmental Health Services shall include a site plan or plat of the property. If you do not have a site plan or plat of your property, contact the Jackson County Register of Deeds by calling 828-586-7530 to see if one is on file. The site plan must include the ways and means from the deed. Click here for an example Site Plan. For questions about site plan or plat of the property, call Jackson County Environmental Health at 828-587-8250 or -8253.
Step 5: Submit your Application Packet and Payment
Once Steps 1 through 4 are completed, you are ready to submit your application packet and payment to Jackson County Environmental Health. Submission can be done by the following:
By emailing envhealth@jacksonnc.org
In person at 538 Scotts Creek Road Sylva, NC 28779; 828-587-8250
By mailing application to Jackson County Environmental Health to 538 Scotts Creek Road, Sylva, NC 28779. You can send a check with application or call for payment.
Include the following completed forms in your submission:
Site Plan or Survey of the Property
These forms can be found by clicking on the links above or by going to the Forms section of our website.
Payment is due with the submission of the application. Payment can be given in person or via credit card over the phone.
Jackson County Environmental Health Fees
Note that an appointment will not be scheduled until Jackson County Environmental Health receives all required completed documentation and fees.