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 Application. 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 Application. 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 Application.
Household Sewage Treatment Systems
If you are planning on building, contact Putnam County Health Department to begin the process of obtaining a permit for your household sewage treatment system. There are several phases to this process. Please click the link below to be directed to our Sewage page.
No individual or contractor may install or alter a sewage treatment system without a permit. An alteration includes, but is not limited to, connecting to an existing sewage treatment system and replacing a septic tank.
Household Sewage Treatment Systems
Private Water Systems
All private water systems are required to be permitted by the health department. If you purchase a property with an existing well that you would like to connect to a new dwelling, an alteration permit through the health department is required. Please click the link below to be directed to our Water page.