Perry County Health Department is contracted with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to oversee the Construction, Major modification, and Repairs of On-Site Sewage Systems in Perry County. Missouri State Law and Department of Health Regulations Governing On-Site Septic Systems http://www.dhss.state.mo.us/Onsite/onsite_ref_book.pdf - requires a Permit and an Inspection by an Environmental Public Health Specialist. The law applies to:

Properties less than 3 acres and generating 3000 gallons or less of wastewater each day, except where the Missouri Department of Natural Resources may have precedence.

Procedures for obtaining a permit for construction of a new septic system or repair of an existing system in Perry County are outlined below.

• An Application and Permit fee form shall be obtained from the Perry County Health Department, 406 N. Spring, Suite 1 in Perryville, Missouri. These forms can also be mailed to the applicant upon request. A $90.00 Fee is to be sent to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, to the address on the application. This fee can be paid by check or money order, and is non-refundable. Property owner’s name and site address must be made available when the applications are acquired.
• Return the completed Application together with a Soil Morphology Report &/or Perc test to the Perry County Health Department. A list of Registered Soil Morphologist and Licensed Perc Testers can be picked up at our office or by logging onto the MDHSS Web site at: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Onsite/Professionals.html . Upon verification from MDHSS that the permit fee has been paid, a site visit is scheduled with the owner and/or the Contractor. The Septic system must be installed by a STATE REGISTERED INSTALLER, a list of these installers can be found at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/Onsite/counties/Perry.html or by contacting the Perry County Health Department.
• After the application and appropriate documents have been reviewed by the Environmental Public Health Specialist (Administrative Authority), and after a satisfactory site visit, the Environmental Public Health Specialist (EPHS) will issue the Permit for Construction. NO CONSTRUCTION WORK should be started on the proposed septic system UNTIL the PERMIT FOR CONSTRUCTION has been issued. The Permit expires one year from date of issue.
• The installer or homeowner shall contact the EPHS BEFORE construction begins, giving an opportunity to inspect during construction. Also the installer must give 24 hours notice prior to finishing the system, again giving the EPHS an opportunity to conduct a final inspection while the field and Septic tank are uncovered.
• Upon completion of the septic system, the Environmental department will forward to the homeowner (&/or installer if requested) a final inspection report as well as copies of the application, soils report and the Engineer design (if applicable).