Septic Permits
Lincoln County Septic Permits Lookup App: This website is currently a work in progress. We are actively updating and adding information to improve access to septic permit records. If you are unable to locate your permit, please note that this does not necessarily mean a permit does not exist. For assistance, or to confirm permit records, please contact the Lincoln County Health Department directly.
A local wastewater treatment system permit is ALWAYS required before a system (non-public or public) is installed. Site evaluations must be performed by a Qualified Site Evaluator. All wastewater treatment (septic) systems must be designed and installed per the requirements in DEQ Circular 4, available at: https://deq.mt.gov/files/Water/WQInfo/Documents/Subdivisions/DEQ-4-2023.pdf.
A Lincoln County Wastewater Treatment and Disposal (Septic) System Installer’s License is required to construct or alter any septic system within Lincoln County. The only exception to this requirement is a homeowner constructing or altering a gravity system for his/her own residence upon his/her own property.
All of the types of wastewater treatment systems are subject to the current Lincoln County Wastewater Regulations: View the full Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Regulation Here – Revision: March 2023
Non-public Wastewater Treatment Systems: Environmental Health Services is responsible for ensuring that non-public wastewater treatment systems (individual/shared, multi-user) are permitted and installed in accordance with state and local regulations. Proper placement, type, and sizing of systems are based on either a Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA) or a site evaluation which assesses the site to determine if suitable conditions exist for on-site wastewater treatment and dispersal.
Public Wastewater Treatment Systems: Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has primary responsibility for public wastewater treatment systems, which are defined as serving more than 24 persons for more than 60 days a year or having more than 14 connections.
Septic Pumpers: Septic pumpers are required to obtain a license from MDEQ. Their equipment and disposal sites are regulated to ensure proper treatment of waste.
Septic Installers: An Installer License issued by Lincoln County is required to construct or alter a wastewater treatment and disposal (septic) system. Requirements of licensure are included in Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Regulation 3.2.103.
Subdivisions: See the Lincoln County Health Department Subdivision Review page here for more information on wastewater regulations and septic systems for new subdivision development.
