Connecting to the Sewer System
Residential, Commercial & Industrial Connections
We're here to help you get your home, business or development connected to the sewer system.
- Check if your property is in the Pierce County Sewer Service Area
- View the Sewer Service Area Map. If your address is in the salmon-colored area, you are in our service area.
- Get approval of on-site septic systems
- All septic systems must be approved by the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
- New on-site septic systems are not allowed in urban areas where sewer service is available.
- Ensure that your sewer project is in compliance with Pierce County's standard plans and details
- Use our Standard Plans and Details to complete your designs.
- Fill out the necessary Standard Forms.
- Scan your documents and submit your project electronically through Pierce County's online permitting system.
- ALL publicly and privately designed sewer systems that connect to Pierce County's system are reviewed for compliance with our standard plans and details.
- Learn what happens after your sewer permit has been issued
- Planning & Public Works must inspect the sewer construction before it is accepted by the County.
- Review the standard forms and plans to make sure you are in compliance.
Final Sanitary Sewer Development Specifications
The most recent Sanitary Sewer Development Specifications and the Sewer Standard Details Manual is available below.
Connecting Dry Sewer Lines
Pierce County is growing fast, and we are working hard to build the infrastructure necessary to support our expanding population. Sometimes though, that means houses are built on properties that don’t yet have available sewer service. In those cases, Pierce County Code requires builders to install interim on-site septic systems to serve residents’ immediate needs, while also laying pipes, called sewer mains, that will connect homes to the public sewer system as it is expanded.
These homes are described as having “dry lines” because their sewer lines are not connected to surrounding homes or the public sewer system. Learn more about dry sewer lines.