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Septic Decommissioning Permits in Multnomah County

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Breadcrumb: Septic Decommissioning Permits in Multnomah County

Source: Septic Decommissioning Permits in Multnomah County ↗ Last modified: Fri, 17 Apr 2026 20:07:29 GMT

Due to budget constraints, Portland Permitting & Development's Septic Program has limited staffing. As a result, we are experiencing occasional delays in scheduling site evaluations, permit plan review timelines, and inspection activities. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

To receive updates and other program news, please email septic@portlandoregon.gov. Updates are expected to be infrequent and sent when we anticipate temporarily reduced staffing so that you can plan accordingly.

The City of Portland conducts septic decommissioning inspections for all of Multnomah County.

Search historic plumbing records for septic system locations

You might find records showing septic system locations on PortlandMaps ↗. Enter an address to begin your search. Then select Permits under the "Permits and Zoning" section. You can find any available historic plumbing records here.

Can't find a historic plumbing record with a cesspool location on PortlandMaps? Please call General Inquiries at 503-823-7300 or email septic@portlandoregon.gov for assistance. Occasionally, there may be cesspool records that city septic staff may be able to locate for you. Please note that if there is no open permit on the property, all public records requests must go through GovQA ↗.

Decommissioning permit application and important information

When you need a septic decommissioning permit

Please note: Septic decommissioning is not required for a real estate transaction.

If a structure had interior plumbing before it was connected to a sanitary sewer, the structure used a septic system. Historically, there are many homes in the Portland area that used septic systems before connecting to a sanitary sewer, and many of these septic systems have not been decommissioned. Septic decommissioning permits are required upon connection to a public sanitary sewer from a live septic system and may be required as part of building demolitions, building permits, land divisions, property line adjustments, and to abate a property nuisance due to a collapsed or open septic feature. Septic decommissioning will require excavation of the existing yard.

You must have a septic decommissioning permit for any cesspool, septic tank, or seepage pit (septic system) when:

  • A property connects to a public sanitary sewer, and the active septic system is removed from service.
  • The source of the sewage is permanently eliminated. For example, demolishing the structure served by a septic system.
  • New construction is proposed within 10 feet of an abandoned septic system.
  • Prior to the approval of a land division of a property with an abandoned septic system.
  • Prior to the approval of a property line adjustment that will result in an abandoned septic system being located on a different lot than the structure it served or located within five feet of a proposed property line.
  • To fill a sink hole resulting from a collapsed or open septic feature.
  • Final inspection approval of a City of Portland septic decommissioning permit is required to have a septic decommissioning on record in Multnomah County.