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Private Sewer Service Permits

Do I Need an RVSS Sewer Service Permit?

RVSS is authorized to issue sanitary sewer permits for “Building Sewers” within the RVSS sewer service boundary, with the exception of building sewers on private property in the City of Medford. The “Building Sewer” includes the exterior portion of a sewer service from the sewer main to 5 feet from the building. 

*Sewer service permits must be obtained from RVSS for any of the following Activities

  • New service installations from the main to within 5 feet of the building   
  • Exterior service replacements and/or repairs greater than 5 feet in length
  • New service taps to a main or private service connection to a main that requires a manhole
  • New taps and service line installations within the right-of-way and within the City of Medford 
  • Existing sewer service abandonment 
  • As specified by RVSS 

*Sewer permits will not be issued for service lines connecting to or draining to a sewer main not yet accepted by RVSS. 

**Sewer permits for the following installations are not issued by RVSS

  • Services located outside the right-of-way and within the City of Medford
  • Services for mobile homes within 30 feet of the mobile home
  • Private sewer systems for mobile home parks located outside the right-of-way                        

**Applicable sewer SDC’s must be paid to RVSS regardless of the jurisdiction issuing the sewer permit.

Apply for an RVSS Sewer Permit - Please contact RVSS at 541-664-6300.

When you contact RVSS please be ready with the information shown below. These are the minimum requirements for permit issuance. 

General Information Required for Sewer Permit Issuance

Single-Family Residential

Multi-Family Residential Including ADU’s & Cottages

Commercial/Industrial

  • Contact information
  • Site location (address and/or map & tax lot)
  • Site drawings (upon request)
  • Contact information
  • Site location (address and/or map & tax lot)
  • Site drawings showing proposed sewer service location(s) and other utilities
  • Architectural drawings showing the number of dwelling units
  • Architectural drawings with plumbing fixture counts for common spaces
  • Contact information
  • Site location (address and/or map & tax lot)
  • Site drawings showing proposed sewer service location(s) and other utilities 
  • Architectural drawings with plumbing fixture counts
  • Other information upon RVSS request 

Sewer Service Design and Construction Requirements

Service line permit issuance is subject to RVSS approval. Sewer services must be installed per the current version of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and the RVSS Sanitary Sewer Design Standards or as specified by RVSS.

RVSS Sanitary Sewer Design Standards

General Geometric Design Standards for Sewer Service Installation: 

  • Shared sewer services are not allowed, i.e. a private service line may only serve one tax lot.
  • Sewer services may only cross one adjacent tax lot via a private sewer easement. 
  • Only two private services are allowed to cross a single tax lot to serve adjacent tax lots.
  • Sewer services may be connected to more than one building on an individual tax lot.
  • An individual tax lot may have more than one service connection to a main.
  • Services must connect and extend generally perpendicular to the main and right-of-way, i.e. horizontal bends are typically not allowed in the right-of-way and must be approved prior to construction.
  • Services may not be run parallel to the public right-of-way.
  • Private pump/pressure systems are allowed if serving an individual tax lot. Private pressure services are not allowed in the right-of-way or easement and must discharge to a gravity service at the property line.
  • Abandonment of existing private sewer services must be performed per RVSS standards at the right-of-way line, edge of easement, or as specified by RVSS. 

Note: A sewer main must be installed if a service line installation cannot meet these general geometric design standards. RVSS may require sewer main installation depending on the configuration, location, future development potential, zoning, and/or design constraints. 

Public Sewer Main Submittal Process – Step by Step Submittal, Design, and Review Process