On-site sewage system code revision process

Read and comment on draft codes

Based on technical and legal analysis, equity review, feedback from our customers and partners, and public input, we have drafted revised codes. Now, you can read and comment on the revised codes. We will then review and consider any additional public feedback before making final language and submitting the proposed revisions to the King County Board of Health in November.

Documents for review

• Draft proposed ordinance: BOH Title 13, On-site Sewage Systems (889 KB)
• Plain language summary of draft proposed ordinance (192 KB)
• Public Notice of Intent to Amend (108 KB)

Public comments on this draft proposed ordinance will be accepted through Thursday, October 10. They may be submitted via public comment survey, U.S. mail, or voicemail (see "How to comment" below). Note: Any public comments received are public records and are subject to public disclosure.

How to comment

• Survey: Take the public comment survey
• US Mail:
  Meagan Jackson
  Environmental Health Services
  14350 SE Eastgate Way
  Bellevue, WA 98007

• Voicemail: 206-263-0547
• Public comment meeting: Register for a public comment meeting
• In-person meetings:
• September 24, 6 pm to 7:30 pm
  Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd SE, Snoqualmie, WA 98065
• October 3, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
  Tahoma Elementary School (Gym), 24425 SE 216th St, Maple Valley, WA 98038
• October 7, 6 pm to 7:30pm 
  Tukwila Community Center (Banquet Hall), 12424 42nd Ave S, Tukwila, WA 98168
• October 8, 6 pm to 7:30pm
  Carnation Elementary School, 4950 Tolt Ave, Carnation, WA 98014
• October 9, 5:30 pm to 7pm
  Enumclaw Library, 1700 1st St, Enumclaw
• Virtual meeting:
  • September 26, 5 pm to 7 pm
    Register to receive the Zoom link.

Next steps

The King County Board of Health plans to vote on these code revisions in November. Whatever they approve will take effect in January 2025. We will share more information about what this means for you in late 2024/early 2025.

Background

In early 2024, the Washington State Department of Health approved new OSS codes. Since then, we have worked to figure out how to incorporate the state's changes into our local codes (our local codes are required by law to be at least as restrictive as the state's codes).

In early June, we launched a website and survey with proposed code revisions, in order to get public feedback. Over the course of this summer, we hosted 13 public meetings and received hundreds of comments.

Recently, we’ve incorporated that feedback into the proposed revisions and drafted revised codes. Now, we want to hear from you about the draft codes.