House Bill 1496 - Sewer Connection Matters

• Property owners may be exempt from sewer system connection requirements if they have a functioning septic tank soil absorption system approved by the local health department and meet specified conditions.

• Not-for-profit public sewer utilities and regional sewage districts must provide exemption application forms, respond in writing to all applications, explain denials with remedial steps, and allow applicants 270 days to qualify for exemptions after receiving a denial response.

• Local health departments cannot deny applications for residential onsite sewage systems if the property owner demonstrates compliance with exemption requirements including minimum acreage (5-10 acres or county minimum, whichever is less), two treatment areas, domestic sewage only, and maximum 750 gallons per day design flow.

• Regional water, sewage, and solid waste district board members shall be elected annually by property owners rather than appointed, with staggered terms ensuring no more than one-third of members are elected in any year.

• Sewage system rate charges and benefit assessments apply only to properties connected to the sewer system, and liens for district charges may not be foreclosed at tax sale if they are the only lien on a property.