HomeMy WebLinkAbout08_Questions for Septic & Well DiscussionAgenda Item #8
Jefferson County Planning Commission
March 6, 2024
Prompting questions for Public Environmental Health and Planning Commission
discussion about septic and water, regarding rural housing proposals:
1. PC is exploring different rural residential development methods (e.g. congregate housing,
boarding houses, multiple satellite bedrooms, tiny house cluster development) and how to
identify and address potential challenges with on-site septic systems and/or alternative
systems.
2. Residential septic standards: What is an “alternative system” and how does PEH implement
them? Do I need a redundant septic system? “Can I go cheap and just set up my own
blackwater/greywater systems to treat my residential wastewater?”
3. “Why does the County have onerous septic requirements?” Where do these regulations come
from and how can they be changed? Local or State Department of Health?
4. What is the minimum land area required for a septic system and related components?
5. Why does PEH require a minimum of two-bedroom wastewater capacity for a single-bedroom
primary residence or ADU? Example: 120 gallons/person/day, assuming double-occupancy =
240 gallons/person/day. Can this be changed? Are there provisions to reduce this amount for
congregate living?
6. How is septic capacity determined for Short-Term Rental (transient) residences? What capacity
analysis applies to a residence that is occupied for only part of the year, and vacant for part of
the year (example: farmworker housing)?
7. What septic & water requirements would there be for a cluster of tiny houses? Is there any
difference in septic permitting for rentals vs. ownership?
8. Capacity of septic systems. “How many tiny houses can I cluster before capacity requirements
turns into a Large Onsite Septic System (LOSS)?”
9. Wells. “How many connections can I have on a single well?”
10. Water systems. “What’s the difference between a Group B and Group A? What Cottage
Industry or Home Business activities require a public water system?
11. When do I need a commercial kitchen? With congregate housing? Boarding house?
12. When a residential structure is considered a “commercial” structure by IBC standards because of
the number of rooms or residents, does that IBC rating effect septic standards in and of itself?
Or, are the septic standards following other regulations irrespective of IBC category?