Building & Septic

Considering a new septic system? Check here for the latest information and be sure to start the conversation with your District Director.

For all septic system work a Building Permit is required from The Town of Galway.  No contractor or homeowner may alter any septic system in any way without having secured a Septic Building Permit in advance.

Minor repairs may be performed without a building permit, however  permission must be secured in writing with a brief email to The Town of Galway Code Enforcement Officer (COE) explaining the scope of work. The COE will determine if a Septic Building Permit will be required.

Prior to submitting the Sepic Building Permit Application to the Town of Galway, submit the Engineer plans and approval of 3 near neighbors to the Rubacks Grove Campers Association (RGCA) Vice President who will review the plan and submit it to the RGCA Board for approval. If approved, the RGCA Board Secretary will provide an approval letter to both the Town of Galway COE and the applicant. 

In order for a Septic Building Permit Application to be reviewed it must be accompanied by a complete Septic System site plan prepared by a NYS Licensed Professional Engineer and a letter from RGCA.

If the site plan meets all New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) requirements the Town can process the application. The Engineer preparing the site plan should be able to highlight any areas that do not meet NYS DOH requirements. The most common category which requires a waiver is the distance of the system from adjoining wells, and the lake.

If the Septic Building Permit Application proposes work which does not meet any and all NYS DOH regulations, the applicant must first submit a Septic Waiver Application to Saratoga County Department of Public Health. Once approved, the waiver must be included in the application to the Town of Galway for a building permit.