340-071-0150 Site Evaluation Procedures (1) A site evaluation is the first step in the process of obtaining a construction-installation permit for an onsite system. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, before obtaining a permit to construct an onsite system, a person must obtain a site evaluation report finding the site suitable for an onsite system under this division. (2) Completed applications for site evaluations must be submitted to the agent with all required exhibits and the applicable site evaluation fee in OAR 340-071-0140(2). (a) Unless DEQ approves other procedures for a contract county, applicants must provide at least two test pits, with dimensions and configuration as the agent directs, located approximately 75 feet apart and within the area of the proposed system, including the repair/replacement area. (b) The fee paid for a site evaluation report covers as many site inspections within ninety days of the initial inspection as necessary to determine the suitability of a single lot or parcel for a single system. A site is considered to be suitable as soon as it is found to meet the criteria for any type of onsite system. (3) Site evaluation report. (a) The agent must evaluate the site of the proposed system, consider all system options, and provide a report of such evaluation. (b) The site evaluation report must be on a DEQ-approved form. (c) The report must contain, at a minimum, a site diagram and observations of the following site characteristics: (A) Parcel size; (B) Slope in absorption field and replacement areas (percent and direction); (C) Surface streams, springs, other bodies of water; (D) Existing and proposed wells; (E) Escarpments; (F) Cuts and fills; (G) Unstable landforms; (H) Soil profiles determined from test pits provided by applicant; (I) Water table levels as indicated by conditions associated with saturation or water table observations; (J) Useable area for initial and replacement absorption areas; (K) Encumbrances observed or listed on the application; (L) Sewerage availability; (M) Other observations including off-site features as appropriate. (d) Site evaluation reports for subdivisions or other land divisions must be based on an evaluation of each lot. (e) Specific conditions or limitations imposed on an approved site must be listed on the evaluation report. (f) A site evaluation report approving a site for a system qualifies the property owner for a permit to construct a system on that property if other requirements for a permit are met. (4) Approval or denial: (a) A site must be approved for a system if the site evaluation report documents the following: (A) The site evaluation report identifies the types of the initial and replacement systems for which the site is approved. (B) All criteria for approving a specific type or types of systems, as described in this division are satisfied. (C) Each lot or parcel has sufficient usable area available to accommodate an initial and replacement system for all existing and proposed uses. The usable area may be located within the lot or parcel or within the bounds of another lot or parcel that is secured under OAR 340-071-0130(11). The initial and replacement systems may be of different types, e.g., a standard subsurface system as the initial system and an alternative system as the replacement system. The site evaluation report must indicate the types of the initial and replacement systems for which the site is approved. (D) A replacement area is not required in areas under control of a legal entity such as a city, county, or sanitary district if the legal entity gives a written commitment that sewerage service will be provided within five years. (b) A site must be denied if the conditions identified in sub section (4)(a) of this rule are not met. (c) Changes in technical requirements in this division may not invalidate a site approval but may require design changes or use of a different type of system. (d) An agent may require a new site evaluation application if an existing site evaluation record does not include sufficient information for an agent to determine the approval area for a proposed system. (5) Site evaluation report review. An applicant may request DEQ to review an agent’s site evaluation report. The application for review must be submitted to DEQ in writing within 60 days after the site evaluation report issue date and must include the site evaluation review fee in OAR 340-071-0140(2). DEQ will review and approve or disapprove the site evaluation report. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 454.625 & 468.020 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 454.655 & 454.755 History: DEQ 29-2025, amend filed 10/01/2025, effective 01/01/2026 DEQ 15-2017, amend filed 10/31/2017, effective 11/01/2017 DEQ 14-2013, f. 12-20-13, cert. ef. 1-2-14 DEQ 11-2004, f. 12-22-04, cert. ef. 3-1-05 DEQ 27-1994, f. 11-15-94, cert. ef. 4-1-95 DEQ 15-1986, f. & ef. 8-6-86 DEQ 9-1984, f. & ef. 5-29-84 DEQ 8-1983, f. & ef. 5-25-83 DEQ 5-1982, f. & ef. 3-9-82 DEQ 10-1981, f. & ef. 3-20-81