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Hello, and happy May from the King County On-site Sewage System (OSS) Program! We're excited to kick off the public engagement phase of the local code revision process. From now through August, you'll have multiple opportunities to review proposed changes to local codes, give us your input, and provide proposals of your own!
In this month's newsletter, we're covering different opportunities including a survey and upcoming public meetings. We're also providing more information about one of the main code topic areas - land use and development. Over the next couple of months, we'll continue providing public input opportunities and more information about the other main topic areas.
As always, if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Sincerely,
Lynn Schneider, RS | OSS Program Supervisor
206.477.2124 | lynn.schneider@kingcounty.gov
Lara Brezina, RS | Interim OSS Operation & Maintenance Program Supervisor
206.477.1764 | lbrezina@kingcounty.gov
Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con nosotros a la siguiente dirección de correo electrónico lbrezina@kingcounty.gov o llame al 206.477.1764.
Nếu quý vị có bất kỳ câu hỏi nào, vui lòng liên hệ với chúng tôi tại lbrezina@kingcounty.gov hoặc gọi 206.477.1764.
Hadii aad su’aalo qabto, fadlan nagala soo xiriir lbrezina@kingcounty.gov ama soo wac 206.477.1764.
如果您有任何疑问，请通过 lbrezina@kingcounty.gov 或致电 206.477.1764 与我们联系。
This month, we're launching multiple opportunities for you to engage with the OSS (On-site sewage systems, also known as septic systems) code revision process. We want to ensure you know about proposed changes, how they affect you and your community, and how you can provide input.
Take our survey: Share your thoughts about how local OSS rules affect your life. This survey asks about specific proposed code revisions. It should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Visit our website: Learn more about OSS in King County, the overall code revision process, and how to stay involved.
Join us at a public meeting this spring and summer! We are hosting 7 public meetings over the next four months.
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Virtual meetings are for specific interest groups (in addition to a Spanish-language virtual meeting, and a virtual meeting for the general public). These meetings are for people who might have similar interests or concerns about how they participate in healthy OSS management. You can attend as many as feel relevant to you! Each virtual meeting is limited to 100 participants.
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In-person meetings are for specific geographic areas. We'll share meetings details in this newsletter as we get closer to the meetings.
Here are our planned meetings, and links to register for each one.
- Virtual meeting for Land use professionals
- Virtual meeting for conservation/environmental advocates
- Virtual meeting for people who live, work, or play on water
- Virtual meeting for Spanish-speaking communities
- In-person meeting for residents of North King County
- In-person meeting for residents of South King County
- Virtual meeting for the general public
We look forward to having you join us and share your opinion!
The OSS (On-site sewage systems, also known as septic systems) code revision process covers 5 main topic areas:
- Land use & development
- Design specifications
- Repairs & remodeling
- Certifications & oversight
- Operations & maintenance
Over the next few months, we'll provide more context about each of these areas in our newsletter. This month, we're focusing on land use & development.
The goal of this topic area is to provide clarity and best practices for land use. This way, property development is aligned with wastewater treatment needs, and healthy OSS can support long term property use!
We've identified the following proposed code revisions that we think are important. One of them (increase minimum lot size) is required by the recent state update. As we go through this code revision process, public input may lead to additional proposed changes.
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Increase minimum lot size: the updated state code ensures OSS have enough room for the drainfield to function properly over time. This means less headaches for homeowners and less chance of OSS failure that may pollute neighborhoods and groundwater. The state increased the minimum lot size for short plats or subdivisions that create NEW parcels by 500 – 1000 square feet dependent on soil type. The additional area helps accommodate new stormwater requirements. Stormwater requirements have changed over the years - now, there has to be space for stormwater systems on the property, rather than large, off-site facilities. For existing lots of record, new development is allowed if all other applicable codes are met.
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Add method to ensure that OSS matches the proposed use of a commercial facility after it transfers to a new owner: this change will make sure that when a property is sold, the OSS can keep up and match the new building use. Our local codes already have a similar requirement - our program must give approval when a commercial establishment applies for a building permit. This proposed change will provide the buyer important information about the status of the septic system prior to the sale closing.
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Clarify the requirement that properties with failing OSS must connect to sewer if it is available within 200 feet of property line: this change helps homeowners understand when they should connect to sewer instead of replacing an OSS. Local code (Board of Health Title 13) requires that new development in urban areas connect to sewer if the sewer utility district allows connection. When existing OSS in urban areas fail, they are also required to connect to sewer with permission from the sewer district. The code allows replacement of OSS in urban areas if an OSS that meets current standards can be designed and installed. However, this conflicts with the King County Comprehensive Plan and development codes. To align with King County plans and codes, property owners in urban areas should expect to connect to sewer as soon as sewer districts offer that service.
Each month, we'll define key terms to know about septic systems.
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OSS (On-site Sewage System, also known as a septic system)
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A system of components, located on or nearby the property it serves, that conveys, stores, treats, and/or provides underground treatment and dispersal of sewage. It consists of a collection system (pipes), a treatment component (septic tank), and a soil dispersal component (drainfield).
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Healthy OSS management
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The collaboration between residents, industry members, and Public Health - Seattle & King County to jointly ensure that all OSS in King County are functioning properly and protecting public health and the environment.
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Short plat
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The legal division of one parcel of land into 2- 4 lots in rural areas, or 2- 9 lots in urban areas.
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Subdivision
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The legal division of one parcel of land into 5 or more lots in rural areas, or 10 or more lots in urban areas.
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Urban area
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An area located in a town or city. Urban areas tend to have higher population densities than rural areas and include public services and public facilities.
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Rural area
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An area located outside of towns and cities. Rural areas typically have lower population densities than urban areas.
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Stormwater
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Rainwater or melted snow that runs off streets, lawns, rooftops, paved streets, highways, parking lots and other areas.
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King County Comprehensive Plan
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A policy document that guides how growth and development will occur over the next 20 years. It guides County decisions and services such as:
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where homes, offices, or stores can be built;
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how roads, buildings, and trees contribute to the look and feel of neighborhoods;
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investments in transit, sewers, and parks;
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protection of working farms and forests; and
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access to clean water, clean air, and a healthy environment.
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Key steps in the code revision process (Note: the timing for this process is dynamic, and subject to change):
You can read previous OSS Code Revision newsletters by using the links below:
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January 2024: Newsletter introduction, OSS 101, and what to know about the OSS code revision process.
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February 2024: Lifecycle of an OSS, and local OSS codes
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March 2024: Summary of changes to state OSS codes
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April 2024: Process for updating local OSS codes
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