What is a gray water irrigation system?
Gray water includes wastewater from bathtubs, showers, washbasins, clothes washers, and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, toilets, or bidets (CPC 209.0). A gray water iirigation system collects gray water and uses it to irrigate plants and landscaping.
When is a permit required?
A permit is not required if you are installing a gray water irrigation system that meets all these requirements:
- Is installed in a one or two-unit residential building
- Only collects water from a laundry machine that does not launder diapers or other prohibited content.
- Does not have a pump or tank
- Does not alter the building’s existing plumbing (the drainage plumbing does not need to be cut into to access the greywater)
See CPC 1501.3 Exception, and note that the CPC requires that all graywater irrigation systems meet the minimum requirements of CPC Chapter 15 when a permit is not required.
A permit is required for all other residential gray water systems such as complex systems that alter the building's plumbing to include surge tanks, filtration systems, and pumps, require a permit to install.
| Are Plans Required? |
Yes - See below for information about preparing your application. |
| Submitted Through |
ePlan Review
ePlan User Guide
How to Submit a Project in ePlan Overview |
| Required Forms |
See forms available under the "Building" section on the ePlan Review webpage. |
| Fees |
Permit fees are about $500, depending on the scope of the project. |
| Additional Forms, as applicable |
Submit an Environmental Health Building Clearance, if the parcel is served by an OWTS (septic system). |
| Minimum Plan Size |
- 18 x 24 inch minimum landscape format
- Other accepted sizes: 24 x 36, 30 x 42, and 36 x 48 inches
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| If you need help or have questions |
Contact Building staff by email: Planning.BuildingInfo@santacruzcountyca.gov, or by Scheduling an appointment using the Appointment Scheduler . |
| IMPORTANT NOTES |
- Properties served by Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (e.g., septic) must verify that gray water irrigation fields are a minimum of 4 feet from sewage disposal field and 5 feet from septic tanks.
- Gray Water systems are prohibited on slopes greater than 50%.
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| Additional Information & Resources: |
What should be shown on the plans? Prepare your project plans using the Application Requirements for Residential Structures - PLG280 being sure to address the following requirements that are specific to gray water irrigation permit applications:
- Streams and drainage courses, water bodies, water supplies and the distance to the proposed irrigation system drain field.
- Indicate soils type. Soils information to design the graywater irrigation may be obtained through the County’s GIS system at GISWeb. The parcel number of the subject property will be necessary to acquire the information.
- Indicate minimum and maximum groundwater depth and date of measurement. In areas with documented seasonal high groundwater levels, gray water systems may be prohibited or required to suspend use during rainy season.
- On your FLOOR PLAN, indicate type and number of plumbing fixtures to be draining to gray water system.
- For your DETAILS sheet, provide the following:
- Scale 1/2" = 1 foot or 1" = 1 foot.
- Indicate size of proposed pipes, tubes, emitters, etc. for irrigation field.
- Provide total area (sq. ft.) of proposed irrigation field. CPC 1504.2
- Detail connections and indicate size at tanks (gal), pumps, valves, splitters, clean-outs, backflow prevention, air gap separation, etc.
- Detail proposed method of irrigation (mulch basins, emitters, etc.).
- Provide list of products for the specified use, such as valves and pumps.
- Provide calculations of estimated graywater discharge. CPC 1503.8
- Provide maximum absorption capacity. CPC 1504.2
- Provide Operation and Maintenance Manual. CPC 1501.6
What inspections are required? Inspections will be performed by Building Inspection, two inspections are typically required.
- The Inspector will inspect all plumbing inside and/or under the house, in addition to all pipes, tanks, pumps, irrigation fields, etc. outside of the house.
- Rough inspection is required after the gray water plumbing and irrigation system has been installed but not buried. Systems shall be tested in the presence of the inspector for water tightness CPC 712.0 and proper installation CPC 309.0.
- Final inspection will be made after the project is complete.
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