An Improvement Permit is useful when you are buying a building lot or property that you aren’t ready to build on but may build on in the future and you simply want to know that the property will support a septic system. This permit can be obtained from the Division of Environmental Health before you buy. It states that a septic tank system may be installed for the project you specify (as long as the site is not altered or modified to make it unsuitable for a septic system). These permits are valid for at least five years. This is the same as the Authorization to Construct, but it does provide assurance that the property will support a septic system. You’ll still need to obtain an Authorization to Construct when you’re finally ready to build.