Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-08-08
Septic permitting in Oregon is mixed: 26 counties use county health departments, 6 go through a state agency, and 4 through regional districts.Every entry below names the approving authority for that county, cited to the authority’s own page.
Septic rules change and some cities run their own programs — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All states → Oregon water rights & wells → Full Oregon profile →
36 counties · mixed — varies by county · permit status scouted for 1
Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Program (administered by Harney County as DEQ agent for Baker County since June 1, 2025)
Oregon DEQ Onsite Septic Staff and County Agent Contacts ↗Benton County Community Development / Environmental Health
Benton County Septic Systems ↗Clackamas County Septic Program (implementing Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater rules)
Clackamas County - Septic Program ↗Clatsop County Environmental Health / Community Development - Onsite Septic Program
Clatsop County Onsite Septic System Program ↗Columbia County Land Development Services - On-site Wastewater Program (Oregon DEQ contract)
Columbia County - On-site Wastewater Program ↗Coos County Community Development, Onsite Septic Program (contract/agent program under Oregon DEQ rules)
Coos County Onsite Septic Program ↗Crook County Community Development On-Site Septic Program (delegated authority from Oregon DEQ)
Crook County On-Site Septic ↗Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Medford Office
Oregon DEQ - Residential Septic Permitting ↗Deschutes County Community Development, Onsite Wastewater Division
Deschutes County - Onsite/Septic Permits ↗Douglas County On-Site Services (DEQ contract-county agent under OAR 340-071-0120)
Douglas County On-Site Wastewater (Septic) ↗Umatilla County Public Health (onsite/subsurface program serving Gilliam County)
Gilliam County - Planning Department Services ↗Grant County Planning Department (Oregon DEQ contract agent)
Oregon DEQ Residential Septic Permitting ↗Harney County Onsite Sanitation (contract agent administering the Oregon DEQ onsite program)
Harney County Onsite Sanitation ↗Hood River County Environmental Health (On-Site Waste Water Program)
Hood River County On-Site Waste Water ↗Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Program, Medford Office
Oregon DEQ Onsite Septic County Agent Contacts ↗Jefferson County Community Development, On-Site Septic Program (delegated authority under Oregon DEQ)
Jefferson County On-Site Septic Program ↗Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Medford Office
Oregon DEQ - Residential Septic Permitting ↗Klamath County Community Development - Septic/On-Site Division
Klamath County Septic On-Site ↗Lake County Building Department (Onsite program, as Oregon DEQ contract agent)
Lake County Building Department ↗Lane County Land Management Division - On-Site Wastewater (Subsurface Sanitation) Program
Lane County - On-Site Wastewater Program ↗Lincoln County On-Site Waste Management Division (DEQ contract agent under intergovernmental agreement)
Lincoln County, OR - Onsite Waste Management Division ↗Linn County Environmental Health Program
Linn County Health Services - Septic Systems ↗Malheur County Environmental Health (Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program, Oregon DEQ agent)
Malheur County - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (Oregon DEQ) ↗Marion County Building Inspection - Onsite Sewage Disposal Program (contract agent of Oregon DEQ)
Marion County - Onsite Sewage Disposal Program (Septic) ↗UCo Health (Umatilla County Public Health, contracted agent) with Morrow County Planning LUCS
Morrow County OR - UCo Health (Septic Approvals) ↗City of Portland Permitting & Development (administering Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater rules via IGA)
Portland Permitting & Development - Septic Permits ↗Polk County Environmental Health - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program (agent of Oregon DEQ)
Polk County - Onsite Wastewater Treatment Program ↗North Central Public Health District (agent for Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Program, serving Wasco and Sherman Counties)
North Central Public Health District - Septic Systems ↗Tillamook County Community Development (On-site Sanitation), acting as agent of Oregon DEQ
Tillamook County Sanitation Resources ↗Umatilla County (Public Health) as agent of Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Program
Oregon DEQ - Residential Septic Permitting ↗Harney County Onsite Program (Oregon DEQ regional agent for Baker/Union/Wallowa Counties)
Oregon DEQ Residential Septic Permitting ↗Harney County Environmental Health (Oregon DEQ contract agent)
Harney County - Onsite Sanitation for Wallowa County ↗North Central Public Health District (Oregon DEQ agent for Wasco and Sherman Counties)
North Central Public Health District - Septic Systems ↗Washington County Environmental Health (Onsite Sewage Program)
Washington County - Onsite Sewage Permits ↗Oregon DEQ Onsite Wastewater Program - administered by Harney County (agent county) for Wheeler County
Harney County - Onsite Sanitation (DEQ agent) ↗Yamhill County Planning & Development (Sanitation), acting as agent of Oregon DEQ
Yamhill County Sanitation ↗Every county here has a full profile — its index score, water, land prices, and the rest of its building rules. See the Oregon state page for all counties ranked, or the national septic guide.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
