Skagit County Board of Health approves updates to on-site sewage code; adoption set for Oct. 1

The Skagit County Board of Health on Sept. 9 approved amendments to Skagit County Code 12.05, the county’s on-site sewage (septic) code, following a multi-year review that included technical advisory input, public comment and a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The board voted to adopt the ordinance and set an effective date of Oct. 1, 2025.

The code revisions incorporate updates the state Board of Health adopted in January 2024 and preserve several local provisions Skagit County has long used, presenters told the board. “The state board of health did an update to the on-site septic regulations for the state, and then of course part of that, once they adopted in January 2024, then it comes to the local board of health,” said Keith Higman, Director, Skagit County Health Department. Higman and public-health staff summarized the local review and outreach.

Why it matters: the updates align county rules with the state’s on-site sewage requirements while retaining local requirements intended to protect public health in Skagit County’s mix of incorporated and unincorporated areas. Staff said the revisions clarify inspection timing, wet-season review…