Septic permits around Kingston: who issues yours and what they need
Every new or replacement septic system in Ontario needs a permit under Part 8 of the Building Code. Around Kingston the issuing authority changes at the township line. Find yours below.
The short version
Septic permits are issued by the "principal authority" for your municipality. In the City of Kingston that's Building Services. In South Frontenac, Loyalist and Greater Napanee it's the township's own building department. Around Gananoque it's the district health unit. In Prince Edward County it's the County. If the lot is near water, a conservation authority may need to sign off first. We prepare the application for every system we install and attend the inspections.
Permit authorities by area
| Area | Who issues the permit | Inspections |
|---|---|---|
| City of Kingston (rural) | City of Kingston Building Services, via DASH | Soil, excavation, before cover, final |
| South Frontenac | Township building department | Test pits, before cover, final |
| Loyalist Township | Township building department | Test pits, before cover, final |
| Greater Napanee | Town building department (own inspector) | Test holes, pre-cover, final grading |
| Gananoque, Leeds and the Thousand Islands | Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit | Per health unit schedule |
| Prince Edward County | County building department | Test pits, before cover, final |
| Belleville, Quinte West | Municipality or Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, by area | Per authority |
What the application needs
- Site evaluation: depth to rock or water, soil type and percolation, flood potential
- Site plan with the house, well, property lines, water bodies and all setbacks
- Sewage system calculation: bedrooms, fixtures, daily design flow, bed area
- System drawings and the installer's BCIN
- The permit fee ($500 to $3,000 depending on the authority)
Sources: City of Kingston sewage system permits; Ontario Building Code; Ontario Onsite Wastewater Association homeowner resources.
Permits are part of every installation and replacement we do. Fees are listed in the cost guide.
Who issues my septic permit?
Around Kingston it's not always the township. Pick where the property is.
Permits are issued under Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code by the "principal authority" for your area. We prepare and submit the application as part of every install.
Permit authority
Choose your area
The result names who issues the permit and what inspections to expect.
Get a quote, permit included
Send the property's town and what you need. If you're working to a closing date or a building permit deadline, say so and we'll prioritize. Answers from the tools on this page come through with the form.
Phone: 343-342-3461
Hours: Mon to Fri, 8 am to 5 pm
Office: 945 Princess Street, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6
Permit questions
Who issues septic permits in Kingston?
City of Kingston Building Services, for systems up to 10,000 litres per day. Applications go through the DASH portal with a site evaluation, site plan and sewage system calculation page. Larger systems are approved by the province.
Who issues septic permits in South Frontenac?
The Township of South Frontenac building department issues its own sewage system permits for Sydenham, Harrowsmith, Verona, Inverary and the rest of the township. KFL&A Public Health stopped issuing them at the end of 2020.
Who issues septic permits in Greater Napanee?
The Town of Greater Napanee has its own sewage system inspector. Expect inspections at the test holes, before the bed is covered and at final grading.
Do I need a conservation authority permit too?
If the property is near a lake, river, wetland or floodplain, the Cataraqui, Quinte or Rideau Valley conservation authority may need to sign off before the building permit is issued. We check the mapping before we apply.
How long does a septic permit take?
Two to six weeks is typical once a complete application is in. Incomplete applications (missing test pit data or a site plan) are the usual cause of delay, which is why we do the evaluation first.
What inspections does a septic install get?
Kingston lists four: soil or percolation, excavation, before cover, and final. Other authorities use three. Each is booked ahead and we attend them all.