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Board adopts Department of Environmental Health fee changes; septic program promises faster reviews
Summary
The Board of Supervisors approved a DEHQ cost-recovery ordinance for FY2025–26, waiving board policy B29 and adopting a CEQA exemption. DEHQ said it rebuilt its septic program, added two staff and now meets guaranteed review times for septic permits aimed at supporting housing.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on May 21 adopted the Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) cost-recovery ordinance for fiscal year 2025–26, waived Board Policy B-29 and approved a related CEQA exemption.
Heather Buenomo, division director with DEHQ, told the board the county rebuilt its septic-system permitting program over the last three years to better support housing. The program added two staff, reduced its vacancy rate from 63% to 0% and has consistently met guaranteed review times, Buenomo said.
"We consistently have met guaranteed review times of 30 days on all septic projects," Buenomo said. She said the program also offers a 15-day review for workforce housing and a five-day review for affordable housing. DEHQ noted decreased customer-service inquiry response times — now about one to three days — and said staff will engage stakeholders to analyze options to restructure permits and fees for supplemental treatment systems.
Supplemental treatment systems treat waste before discharging to the ground and can make housing feasible on lots that cannot accommodate a conventional septic system, Buenomo said.
After public comment, the board voted to adopt the ordinance. A motion by Supervisor Montgomery Stepp, seconded by Supervisor Jim Desmond, passed unanimously among supervisors present.
Staff told the board they will continue to seek efficiencies and stakeholder input on options to restructure permits and fees for supplemental treatment systems.
