Baker County holds first readings of two ordinances to take over on‑site wastewater permitting and set administrative hearings procedures

Baker County commissioners opened public hearings and approved first readings of two linked ordinances that would let the county administer on‑site wastewater permitting and adopt a countywide administrative hearings procedure for enforcement.

The county is implementing an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that delegates Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permitting, inspection and enforcement authority for on‑site wastewater systems to Baker County; Ordinance 2025‑03 is written to implement that delegated management program. Commissioners also reviewed Ordinance 2025‑04, a separate administrative‑hearings ordinance counties can use to assess civil penalties and resolve code violations.

County staff said the ordinances are intended to work together. A staff presenter told commissioners…