Ohio House Passes Bill to Update Ohio's Septic Law

COLUMBUS-State Representatives Justin Pizzulli (R-Scioto County) and Marilyn John (R-Richland County) are pleased to announce that the Ohio House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 692, legislation to update Ohio's household sewage treatment system law, creating greater consistency across the state for homeowners and businesses.

House Bill 692, spearheaded by Pizzulli and John, will limit the authority of boards of health to conduct routine inspections, eliminating mandatory initial and annual inspections without probable cause. This provision aims to remove red tape and unnecessary costs.

The bill will also establish limits on restrictions related to the installation and design of home sewage treatment systems. Boards of health will not be able to stop systems from being built on sloped terrain when they are designed to safely leach downhill. It will also prevent boards of health from requiring the following:

• New design approvals or permits when replacing a system without substantive changes; and
• Installation solely in undisturbed areas when the soil meets basic functional requirements.

"The current process for installing septic acts as a barrier for many rural Ohioans and directly contributes to the housing shortage our state is facing," said Pizzulli. "House Bill 692 streamlines the process and helps families build, not just homes, but futures in Ohio."

"House Bill 692 is a commonsense measure that modernizes Ohio's sewage treatment system regulations while preserving the strong public health protections that Ohioans depend on every day," said John. "By streamlining processes, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, and improving efficiency, this legislation better serves homeowners, contractors, and local health districts alike. I'm grateful to the local entities and all our stakeholders who collaborated with us to develop this thoughtful and practical legislation."

House Bill 692 awaits further consideration from the Ohio Senate.