Septic Tank Removal | City of San José

For all types of properties
Updated: 04/14/2026

Removing a septic tank, cesspool, or other type of private sewage disposal system requires certain clearances as well as a building permit and plumbing permit. If the project entails hooking up to the City sewer, a City inspector will conduct a Health & Safety Survey. This may require a second plumbing permit.

The Santa Clara County Department of Environmental Health (DEH) regulates the abandonment of all septic tanks in Santa Clara County. For the City of San José, the County relegates the permitting process to the City's Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement.

Septic Tank Removal - Clearances and Requirements

Meet the following requirements BEFORE you apply for the building permit:

Public Works Clearance is Required

The removal of a septic tank requires a clearance from the Development Services Division of the Public Works Department. Contact Public Works and state your interest in removing a septic tank, cesspool, or other type of private sewage disposal system.

For assistance:
Call 408-535-7802
Or email PWGeneralinfo@sanjoseca.gov

This clearance must be included with the submittal of your building permit application.

BAAQMD Job Number Is Required

A demolition of any kind — including septic tank abatement — requires that you obtain a "job number" from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD). This is required whether or not the project involves asbestos.

The City will not issue a building permit for the demolition without this job number.

For assistance:
Visit www.baaqmd.gov/permits/asbestos
or call BAAQMD at 415-749-4900

Historical Properties Require a Planning Clearance

Is the house, building or site listed on the City's Historic Resources Inventory?

If yes, the Planning Division must approve the proposed septic tank removal. This approval is required before applying for the building permit. Building Division staff will not issue a building permit without this approval.

For assistance:
Submit a Help Ticket to Planning
Or speak with a City planner — see Planning Division - Phone Service

Equipment Storage or Debris Box May Require a Permit

Once you have the clearances and BAAQMD job number, you can apply for a building permit and plumbing permit.

Get Ready to Apply

Who can apply? We recommend that the applicant be a licensed contractor. See Who Can Apply for a Building Permit for others who may apply. Whoever signs the building permit application is responsible and potentially liable for all activity under the permit. See Owner-Builders Beware!

SJPermits can help. At SJPermits.org, you can pay fees, schedule inspections, check the status of a permit, and find permit records and property information. An SJPermits account is required only if you are applying for an online permit or for projects that require Standard Plan Review.

Permit Fees

Find fee information and payment methods at Building Fees.

Prepare the Permit Application Package

Who can prepare plans? While some plans may be prepared by anyone, we recommend working with professionals. Inaccurate plans will require resubmittals and more fees. Accurate plans save time and money. See u7Plans That Require an Architect or Engineer.

Forms may require digital signatures. See Digital Forms & Signatures for help.

REQUIRED

> Building Permit Application - See instructions. For type of permit, check "building" and "plumbing."

> BAAQMD Job Number (see "Clearances and Requirements")

> Submittal Checklist - Select the appropriate checklist below. It also outlines relevant forms and plans to include in the permit application package.

Single-Family & Duplex Projects Submittal Checklist or
Multifamily Projects Submittal Checklist or
Commercial & Industrial Projects Submittal Checklist

> Project Plans - Select the plan instructions according to the type of property:

Single-Family & Duplex Projects - Plan Set Instructions
Commercial, Industrial, Multifamily - Plan Review Submittal Package

> For the Plot Plan* - On a minimum 18"x24" sheet, draw to scale and show:

Septic tank site and distances to property lines and to any structure on the site, such as detached garages, sheds, etc. Label all structures.

Location, size and depth of the septic tank

Non-Buildable Area - If the post-demolition area is to become non-buildable, delineate the non-buildable area, showing dimensions. Indicate what replaces the septic tank area, e.g., landscaping.
- After waste removal and removal of the septic tank, cesspool, or seepage pit, the remaining pit must be completely filled with compatible material, such as sand or pea gravel. Improper fill may create undesirable settlement. A City inspector will visit the site and check that the excavation has been properly filled and that the location agrees with the supplied Plot Plan.
Buildable Area - If the post-demolition area is to become buildable, you must provide the following with the permit application:
- Demolition, Drainage, and Compaction Plan prepared and wet stamped by a state-licensed engineer.
- Special Inspection Existing Building Form or Special Inspection New Building Form, completed, designating the supervising engineer or Special Inspection Agency that will conduct the backfill compaction observation and provide a Compaction Report* to the Building Division, declaring the abated area as buildable. The Special Inspection final inspection letter , certifying that the excavation was compacted to 95%, will be accepted by the City as the final inspection.

* Copies of the Plot Plan and, if applicable, the Compaction Report must be provided to the City inspector at time of inspection.

> This project is subject to a refundable Construction and Demolition Diversion Deposit (CDDD). This deposit is collected at the time of permit issuance.

IF APPLICABLE see "Clearances and Requirements"

> Owner-Builder Acknowledgement and Verification of Information Form - Submit if the property owner is the permit applicant.
> Historical property clearance from Planning
> Permit for Equipment Storage and/or Debris Box

How to Apply

Select the option that fits your project. Properties that do not meet the qualifications for Simple Projects Service or Over-the-Counter Service must use Standard Plan Review.

Simple Projects Service - If demolition area will not be buildable

The permit is issued during your visit if documents are accurate.

TO QUALIFY

The project:

Is located on a single-family or duplex property
The demolition area WILL NOT be used for future construction
Cannot include removal of an ordinance-size tree. If tree removal is necessary, obtain the tree removal permit prior to applying to this service.

The property:

Cannot be in a Planned Development Zoning District (check zoning map)
Cannot be in Flood Zone A, AE, AH, or AO. See Flood Hazard Zone Map or call 408-535-7803 or email
Cannot be in a Geohazard or Seismic Hazard Landslide zone; view the property information at www.SJPermits.org.
Cannot be in a Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) area (WUI Policy, page 3)
Cannot have code violations or a code enforcement case.
For properties on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory - Obtain a clearance from the Planning Division BEFORE using the Simple Projects Service. We will not issue a building permit without this clearance.

If the project does not meet each criterion, use the Standard Plan Review Service.

TO APPLY

Come to the Permit Center at City Hall. No appointment is needed. Follow these steps:

Allow at least 30 minutes for this visit and arrive before 3:00 p.m. as counter tickets are not issued thereafter. Upon arrival, go to the self-serve ticket kiosk by the round reception desk and select "Building Walk-In Service." Take the ticket. You will be called to a numbered counter.
Bring items listed under “Prepare the Permit Application Package."

Be ready to pay the fees; see Building Fees. You will be issued a Permit Card.

We look forward to serving you.

Over-the-Counter Service - If demolition area will be buildable

The permit is issued during your visit if documents are accurate.

TO QUALIFY

The project:

Must be located on a single-family or duplex property.
The demolition area MAY BE USED for future construction.
Cannot include removal of an ordinance-size tree. If tree removal is necessary, obtain the tree removal permit prior to applying to this service.

The property:

Cannot be in a Planned Development Zoning District; check Zoning Map
Cannot be in Flood Zone A, AE, AH, or AO; check Flood Hazard Zone Map
Cannot be in a Geohazard or Seismic Hazard Landslide Zone; view property information at www.SJpermits.org
Cannot be in a Wildland Urban Interface area (WUI Policy, page 3)
Cannot have code violations or a code enforcement case
For properties on the City’s Historic Resources Inventory - Obtain a clearance from the Planning Division BEFORE using this service. We will not issue a building permit without this clearance.

If the project does not meet each criterion, use the Standard Plan Review Service.

TO APPLY

Come to the Permit Center at City Hall. No appointment is needed. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Prepare items as listed under "Prepare the Permit Application Package."

Step 2. Skip printing out the plans and forms and instead Upload Your Project Files any time before you visit the Permit Center.

OR bring 2 (two) copies of the plans and forms to the Permit Center.

Step 3. Allow at least one hour for this visit and arrive before 3:00 p.m. as counter tickets are not issued thereafter. Upon arrival, go to the self-serve ticket kiosk by the round reception desk and select "Building Walk-In Service." Take the ticket. You will be called to a numbered counter.

We look forward to serving you!

Standard Plan Review Service - For any non-qualifying projects

For the submittal, see “Prepare the Permit Application Package.”

This service uses online platforms. You will first apply at SJPermits and then upload documents through SJePlans. A City plan reviewer will review the plans and send comments to you through SJePlans. After the plans are approved and final fees are paid, then the building permit will be issued. Follow these instructions:

* Standard Plan Review Service *

We look forward to serving you.

Inspections

You will be issued a Permit Card that lists required inspections. Schedule inspections at SJPermits.org or call 408-535-3555 for assistance.

Be ready:

The Permit Card must always be on-site and available to the inspector.
Have plans and manufacturer instructions, if any, available.
Ensure there is access to all areas of the project work; provide a ladder if needed. Inspectors do not carry ladders.
Read also Inspection Success.

For septic tank removal projects, also be ready to provide to the inspector:

A copy of the Plot Plan
A copy of the Compaction Report, if applicable

Connecting to the City Sewer

If the septic tank removal is followed by a project to connect the home or building to the City sewer system:

A City building inspector will perform a Health & Safety Survey, which includes inspection of plumbing vents and traps in the building. If the survey finds that corrections are needed, the applicant may be required to obtain the necessary plumbing permit.
To install the sewer piping and the required property line cleanout, follow the instructions for permits and installation at Sewer Projects.
- If there is an existing lateral to the city sewer, a City building inspector will inspect the sewer installation.
- If a new lateral connection is required, a City public works inspector will inspect the off-site sewer lateral while the building inspector will inspect the on-site sewer piping located on the private property side.

Questions?

We are here to help — visit, call, or email us. See Contacts sidebar.