POWTS SUMMARY

POWTS Summary

The Winnebago County Planning and Zoning Department regulates all Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (POWTS), better known as septic systems and holding tanks.  In addition to city and village municiipal sewers, there are also multiple Town Sanitary Districts throughout the county, each with a designated service area. 

Winnebago County administers the POWTS program using the regulations and requirements set forth in the Winnebago County Ordinance - Chapter 167 and Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 381-387 & 391.

Our purpose is to provide a uniform method of regulating the siting, construction, replacement and maintenance of POWTS in order to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the residents of Winnebago County.  

On August 28, 2019, Winnebago County became a delegated POWTS Plan Review authority.  Delegation is limited to the following one and two-family dwellings 
(1,000 gpd or less) POWTS:
  • Grade Systems
  • Mound Systems
  • Pressurized In-Ground Systems

Complete Sanitary Permit Applications take 2-3 days to process, however, processing may take longer due to an incomplete application, holidays or the amount of submitted permit applications. 


Sanitary Installation Inspections:  
Sanitary inspection requests must be received 24 hours in adavance by leaving a message at 920-232-3344. The message should include the following inspection information:
  • Plumber's Name and Phone Number (for inspection confirmation)
  • Time and Date Requested
  • Owner's Name and Address - Tax Parcel I.D. No.
  • Town
  • Sanitary Permit Number

Sanitary Fees: 
  • Sanitary Permit Fee .......................................................................................$650.00 *                                      
  • (at-grade, mound and holiding tank systems including holding tank replacement)

NOTE:  the above sanitary permit fee includes a mandatory $100.00 State Fee

  • System Review Fee. ..........................................................................................$250.00                                    
    (at-grade, mound, and in-ground pressurized systems)
         -  The $250.00 is for in-house review/approval of these plans   
         -  This fee is in addition to the $600.00 permit fee
  • Renewal Fee  ..............................................................................................................$  10.00
  • Transfer Fee ...............................................................................................................$   10.00
  • Reconnections, septic tank replacement, repairs .........$  195.00
  • Wisconsin Fund Application ....................................................................$  50.00
  • Soil Evaluation (County & State Plats) ............................................$  10.00/lot  
    (maximum charge of $100.00/plat per request made)

* Per Section 16.10(1)(e) of the Winnebago County Sanitary Ordinance, "Failure to obtain a sanitary permit where required - standard permit fee shall be doubled".