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Plan Review

Process overview for engineering plans and specifications 

Sewage collection, treatment, and disposal systems

Before construction can begin on collection, treatment, and disposal systems for sewage that will serve housing developments, DEQ review and approval of plans and specifications is required by Oregon Revised Statute 468B.055 and Oregon Administrative Rule 340-052. DEQ only reviews private sewage lines on private property if the line is planned to serve more than one tax lot, either now or in the future.

DEQ needs the following before a review is started:

  • Plans and specifications: DEQ reviews plans and specifications before they are final. Information on DEQ design standards may be found on the DEQ Wastewater Engineering web page. For gravity sewer projects, 90% plans are typically acceptable. To prevent delays in final approval, earlier design stages are helpful for pressurized sewers, pump stations, or treatment plant upgrades.
  • For sewer collection and treatment systems, payment of DEQ Technical Activities Fee in OAR 340-045 Table 70 F. DEQ will assist in determining the appropriate fee.
  • Capacity Statement Form completed by the owner of the wastewater treatment system indicating there is capacity to treat the wastewater generated by the project.
  • Land Use Compatibility Statement, or LUCS, signed by the local land use authority indicating the project complies with the local acknowledged comprehensive plan.

Key takeaways

The more complete your initial packet for review is, the faster DEQ can work through the review.

DEQ reviews plans before they are final to ensure that any necessary changes can be made prior to construction.

You must submit your packet for review and any applicable fees through Your DEQ Online.

To help expedite the review, please provide a cover letter that includes:

  • A brief project description
  • The project timeline
  • A list of materials
  • The person or entity responsible for construction and inspection
  • The future owner of the system once it is built

DEQ may exempt certain projects from review:

  • When working in a municipality that has received an exemption from DEQ
    Exemptions from DEQ are available to municipalities provided certain requirements in OAR 340-051-0045 are met. Please check with the city, county, or special district you are working in to determine if they have received an exemption from DEQ or contact DEQ. If you are a municipality and wish to be evaluated for exemption, please submit the Exemption Request Form to the DEQ regional engineer.
  • Repair and replacement projects
    Repair and replacement projects that use the same or similar equipment are typically exempt. This allows operators to make repairs without delay. Contact DEQ if the project will change capacity of the system or change the nature of treatment or disposal.
  • Minor modifications on a case-by-case basis
    Minor modifications to existing facilities when the change will not significantly affect operation of the treatment or disposal system. A description of proposed minor modifications must be submitted to DEQ for consideration.

Contact

For more information, visit DEQ's Wastewater Engineering web page for design standards and plan review information.

For additional assistance, reach out to the DEQ contact for your county:

Eastern Region: Blair Edwards, 971-990-2216 
Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler counties

Northwest Region: Michael Pinney, 503-229-5310 
Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, Tillamook, and Washington counties

Western Region: Ranei Nomura, 971-301-3954 
Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties

When to contact us

Contact DEQ for plan review as soon as you know you are moving ahead with your project and before your plans are final to ensure that any necessary changes requested by DEQ can be made prior to construction. DEQ's goal is to review designs within 30 days of a complete package submittal.