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Pine County amends septic rules to allow administrative variances in seasonal developments
Summary
The board adopted Ordinance 2026-28 to permit administrative variances to septic setback requirements in high-density seasonal recreational developments, including provisions for tanks beneath structures and a five-year inspection requirement for systems receiving variances. Commissioners expressed groundwater protection concerns prior to the 5-0 vote.
The Pine County Board on July 21 adopted Pine County Ordinance 2026-28 amending the Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems Ordinance to allow administrative variances for septic setback requirements in high-density seasonal recreational developments.
County Administrator Kelly Schroeder explained the amendment would allow setbacks of up to 0' from structures and 6" from a property line under specific criteria, addressing small lot configurations where strict compliance is typically infeasible. Commissioner Roger Nelson raised groundwater protection concerns and suggested adding a requirement for inspections. The board adopted the ordinance as amended to include a compliance inspection every five years for any system receiving an administrative variance; the motion carried by roll-call vote 5-0.
During public comment Glen Sladek asked whether routine inspections are mandated and when new tanks are typically installed; Schroeder replied the county does not have routine inspections and new tanks are usually installed at point of sale or when a property owner requests a replacement. The ordinance change is intended to reduce the number of formal variances required for existing seasonal lot configurations while adding an inspection safeguard for systems granted administrative variances.
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