Building Process

Are you getting ready to build a home that will not be connected to municipal water and/or sewer? The health department should be involved from the beginning. Please take a moment to check out the Building Process Packet. This packet was designed to help you determine the steps that should be done as you prepare to build. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Health Division of the PCHD at 419-523-5608.

Lot Splits

Often times, the splitting of a lot from a larger piece of property is part of the process for building a new home. The health department may also be involved in this process. If both parcels will be greater than 5 acres after the split, the health department does not need to be consulted.

If you are planning to build on the lot being split, begin with the Buildable Lot Split Packet. As part of this process, you will need to sketch out plans for the new property, including where the house, driveway, any barns or buildings, pond, well, septic system, etc. will be located. You will also need to designate an area for a replacement septic system. The replacement septic area should remain undisturbed ground so that it may be used when the original septic system fails. After turning in the completed application and fee to the health department, you will need to contact a certified soil scientist (listed on page 1 of the packet) to collect and analyze soil samples from the property. The results of this soil analysis will determine what type of septic system will work best and help determine how much space the system will occupy on the property.

If at least one of the parcels currently has a dwelling on it, you will need to complete the Lot with Existing Dwelling Packet. This process will ensure that if the requested split takes place, there is enough room for a replacement septic system to be used when the original septic system fails.

Some lot split requests involve parcels that do not currently have a dwelling on them, and there are no future plans for a dwelling to be built. In this case, you should complete the Non-Development Lot Split Packet.