Routine pumping does not require a permit. New installations, drain-field replacement, and significant repairs require a permit from your county health district. The registered installer on your job handles the permit process in Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, and Franklin counties.
More detail
Ohio Department of Health delegates Sewage Treatment System (STS) permit authority to county health districts. Permit-required work includes: new system installation, full system replacement, drain-field replacement or expansion, distribution-box relocation, ATU (aerobic treatment unit) installation or major service, and any work that changes the system's discharge point. Permit-exempt work includes: routine pumping, riser installation, effluent-filter installation, baffle replacement (typically), minor cleanout repair. Each county has its own permit fee schedule and timeline. Delaware permits are typically faster than Licking County for residential. Permit issuance runs 1-4 weeks depending on county and season. Local contractors hold the appropriate Ohio STS installer credentials and pull permits on behalf of the homeowner; the cost is line-itemed in the quote rather than charged separately. Columbus county-by-county permit speed: Delaware Public Health District typically issues permits in 1-2 weeks for residential repair work. Licking County runs 2-4 weeks. Fairfield County is in between. Union County varies seasonally. Local contractors flag the expected permit timeline at quote time so the homeowner can plan around it. Emergency repairs (active backup, septic alarm) sometimes get expedited issuance under "imminent health hazard" provisions.