If you are selling your property with an on-site wastewater system (septic system) you are required to notify Pennington County prior to the sale or transfer of property. At that time, Pennington County will determine if the septic system on your property has a current operating permit. If a valid permit has not been issued, an operating permit shall be required prior to the sale or transfer of property. (see above for details).
Pennington & Meade County
Septic Permits
Received a letter from Pennington or Meade County? Don’t stress — Hills Septic handles the pumping, inspection, and all the paperwork for you.
Pennington County
On-Site Wastewater Systems – Operating Permit Information
Have you received a letter from Pennington County? Call Hills Septic and Portable Toilets today. We will pump, inspect, and take care of all the paperwork for you.
Residents in Pennington County are notified by mail at least 60 days prior to the permit expiration date. If a resident owns a property containing an on-site wastewater treatment system that has never had an operating permit issued, the property owner will be notified by Pennington County by mail approximately 60 days before the permit due date. The owner of an on-site wastewater treatment system must then contact a certified Liquid Waste Pumper to schedule an appointment to have their septic tank pumped.
Hills Septic and Portable Toilets will pump, inspect your septic tank, and fill out a short observation form provided by Pennington County. We will also discuss with you any problems or issues. Hills Septic and Portable Toilets does not charge for this inspection, only the pumping. We do not determine if your septic system fails or passes, Pennington County does. Once payment is received for the pumping, the inspection form will then be mailed to Pennington County for review. If the system is not malfunctioning or failing as defined in the On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems Ordinance, the $20 permit fee will be requested by Pennington County. Once payment for the operating permit is received, an operating permit will be issued. If the system is malfunctioning or failing, Pennington County will notify the resident and discuss the repairs needed for the system to be brought into compliance. Once the repairs are complete and the permit fee paid, an operating permit will be issued. The operating permit is valid for a period of 6 years from the septic tank pumping date of the repair date (if repairs were needed).
Although Pennington County issues permits every 6 years, the Onsite Industry (Universities, the EPA and suppliers and manufacturers of onsite products) recommend servicing your septic tank every 2 to 5 years depending on the size and age of your tank and the number of people living in the household. If the septic tank is neglected, solids will overflow from the tank and into the leaching system. This neglect will result in septic tank baffles failure, clogged leach lines, contaminated soil and ultimately leach field failure.
Pennington County
Sale or Transfer of Property
Meade County
Sale or Transfer of Property
If you are selling your property with an on-site wastewater system (septic system), Meade County requires that the system be inspected, including pumping of the tank. An inspection is required within 6 months before or when the property is sold or there is a change of use of a facility. Hills Septic and Portable Toilets technicians are South Dakota Certified Wastewater Installers and licensed with Meade County, which is required. We will pump, inspect your septic tank and fill out a written Meade County inspection form. We will also discuss with you any problems or issues. Hills Septic and Portable Toilets does not charge for this inspection, only the pumping. Once payment is received for the pumping, the inspection form will then be mailed to Meade County Equalization and Planning Department for review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pennington County sends notices to property owners when an onsite wastewater system operating permit is due for renewal or when a property has not previously received an operating permit. Property owners are typically notified approximately 60 days before the permit due date.
The first step is to schedule a septic tank pumping with a certified liquid waste pumper. Hills Septic Service will pump the tank, perform the required inspection, complete the county observation form, and submit the paperwork to Pennington County for review.
Yes. We complete the required inspection documentation and submit the necessary forms to Pennington County or Meade County on your behalf, making the process as simple as possible for homeowners.
If the system meets county requirements and any necessary fees are paid, the operating permit is typically valid for six years from the septic tank pumping date or repair completion date.
Yes. Hills Septic Service employs South Dakota-certified wastewater installers and licensed professionals who are qualified to perform inspections required for Meade County property transfers and Pennington County permit applications.
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