On-site Sewage System (Septic) Permits

NBMCA's On-site Sewage System (Septic) program is designed to protect the environment and people’s health and safety by regulating and ensuring compliance with the Ontario Building Code (OBC) Part 8 regarding the installation and maintenance of private on-site sewage systems within Nipissing District and the Parry Sound District (with the exception of the Township of the Archipelago). (See Map at bottom)

If your residential, seasonal or commercial property does not have municipal sewer services and you will be using an on-site sewage system, the OBC requires you to obtain a permit from NBMCA.

Check with one of our On-site Sewage System Area Supervisors if you are planning any of the activities below in an area without municipal sewer services. You may need an on-site sewage system permit if you are:

building a new home or cottage
building an addition with additional bedrooms and/or adding plumbing fixtures (talk to an inspector for specifications)
installing an outhouse, leaching (grey water) pit or holding tank
replacing the bed or tank of your existing on-site sewage system
demolishing an on-site sewage system
building or expanding a commercial/industrial facility with a daily design flow of less than 10,000 litres per day (systems larger than 10,000 litres/day in design capacity and communal (off-lot) sewage systems are regulated by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks under the Ontario Water Resources Act.)

NBMCA provides a variety of services related to on-site sewage systems including:

On-site Sewage System (Septic) Permits
Plan Input and Review
File Reviews for expansions or renovations to existing structures
Concern investigations regarding malfunctioning sewage systems
Legal Inquiries
Re-inspection Programs

Details about these services are outlined on the links to the right.

Applications

Links to the on-site sewage system program applications can be found on the sidebar or on the Application Forms and Fees page.

Fees and Payment

On-site sewage system program services and fees are outlined on the Fee Schedule on the side link. The Ontario Building Code enable NBMCA to charge fees for services. The Fees are approved by the NBMCA Board of Directors. Our Fees Policy is based on three principles: user-pay, adequate consultation and notification, and right to appeal.

During the COVID 19 pandemic, the NBMCA Offices are closed to the public. Payments can be made by Visa or Mastercard over the phone, by cheque in the mail, or dropped off to the drop box located at our North Bay and Parry Sound offices. We’re sorry, debit and e-transfer are not an option at this time.

Contact

For further information or to discuss your project, contact the Inspectors at our North Bay office at 705 474-5420 or by email. If your project is located within the West Parry Sound District, contact our Parry Sound office at 705 746-7566 or email.