1. Complete an Application for an Improvement Permit/Authorization to Construct    Ø      ALL FORMS MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY AND SIGNED
   
   
2. Read “ALL” Instructions
3. Draw a site sketch/plan

Ø      This plan should be a bird’s eye view of what you are proposing to do and it must include distances measured in feet. 

Ø      If you are proposing to subdivide your property, you must go to the Planning Department at 217 College St. Graham, NC (336) 570-4052 to make sure your proposal meets the Planning Departments requirements prior to submitting your application to environmental health.

4. Prepare the property for evaluation

Ø      Mark and stake all property corners. (Please use stakes and flagging)

Ø      Mark and stack the corners of the proposed house or business. (Please use stakes and flagging)

Ø      Show the distance/setbacks from one corner stake of the house or business to two different sides of the property on the required site sketch/plan. 

5. Pay the appropriate fee, which is currently $200.00 for each proposed site.

You may mail or bring the completed application forms and payment to:

Alamance County Environmental Health

209N. Graham-Hopedale Road

Burlington, NC 27317

Make Payable to Alamance County Health Department

We take Cash, Checks, or Money Orders, sorry no credit or debit cards.

All payments are final and no refunds or transfer of fees can be made.

If you have questions, please call us a (336) 570-6367 ext.310 

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I SUBMIT A COMPLETED APPLICATION FOR AN IMPROVEMENT PERMIT?

1. The application is processed by clerical staff and reviewed for completeness.
2. A supervisor assigns the work to an environmental health specialist
3. The environmental health specialist schedules your evaluation.

Ø      If you made a request to meet the environmental health specialist at the time of the evaluation, he/she will call you to set up an appointment.

4. An Environmental Health Specialist visits the site.

Ø      First, to make sure that the property has been staked and marked properly (If property and/or the house location is not marked properly there will be a revisit fee of $50.00 and the evaluation will not continue until this fee is paid and the property is properly prepared).

Ø      Next, the environmental health specialist evaluates the site based on your requested use of the property, the soil and site conditions of the property at the time of the evaluation, and North Carolina Law.

5. The improvement permit will be either approved or denied and you will receive this in writing.

Ø      If approved, the environmental health specialist will issue an Improvement Permit, which will show where the septic system must be located.

Ø      If denied, the denial will list reasons for the denial and your right to appeal the decision and how to appeal.