Septic system requirements in Michigan
What landplan.io applies when it designs a septic system in Michigan: the system types allowed, tank sizes, setbacks and soil loading rates, with what septic products cost there.
Updated
Design a septic system for an address in Michigan
Reviewed landplan.io designs by Michigan's own rules, which our staff reviewed against the state's regulations. Last published 5 October 2026.
Septic systems allowed in Michigan
The system types landplan.io permits in Michigan:
- Bed Distribution System
- Trench Distribution System
- Infiltrator Advanced Treatment Leachfield
- Infiltrator Advanced Enviro-Septic® (AES)
- Alternative System Wisconsin Mound
- Bed Distribution System with Pressure Laterals
- Alternative System Low Pressure Pipe
Septic tank size in Michigan
The daily design flow of a home: 150 gal/day per bedroom, at least 240 gal/day. The septic tank is sized from that flow:
| Daily design flow | Minimum tank |
|---|---|
| up to 240 gal/day | 1,000 gallons |
| 240 to 360 gal/day | 1,500 gallons |
| 360 to 600 gal/day | 2,000 gallons |
| 600 to 720 gal/day | 2,500 gallons |
| 720 to 840 gal/day | 2,750 gallons |
| 840 to 920 gal/day | 3,000 gallons |
| 920 to 1,040 gal/day | 3,250 gallons |
Septic setbacks in Michigan
| From | To | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Polygon | Existing Septic Component to be Abandoned | 5 ft |
These are the values the landplan.io design engine applies in Michigan. Confirm a design with the Michigan health department or your county's before you build.
Parcel data in Michigan
landplan.io has parcel boundaries for 61 of Michigan's 83 counties, and part of 2 more: the counties where 88.6% of the state's people live. Type an address there and the design starts from the parcel.
Septic companies, designers and jobs in Michigan
- Septic companies and distributors in Michigan (41)
- Septic designers in Michigan
- Septic design jobs in Michigan
Where the rules come from
The regulations and documents landplan.io's Michigan rules are read from:
- Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Sewage Disposal (Michigan Criteria for Subsurface Sewage Disposal (statewide technical criteria; not a promulgated administrative rule))
- District Health Department #10 Sanitary Code (DHD#10 Sanitary Code, Chapter 5 Wastewater and Sewage Disposal (and Chapters 1-10))
- Oakland County Sanitary Code (January 2026 compilation): Article II Groundwater Protection and Article III Sewage Disposal and Treatment (Oakland County Sanitary Code, Articles I-III)
- Washtenaw County Engineering Guidelines for On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems (Washtenaw County Environmental Health Division, Engineering Guidelines (January 25, 2002), under the Washtenaw County...)
Septic rules by county in Michigan
- Alcona County
- Alger County
- Allegan County
- Alpena County
- Antrim County
- Arenac County
- Baraga County
- Barry County
- Bay County
- Benzie County
- Berrien County
- Branch County
- Calhoun County
- Cass County
- Charlevoix County
- Cheboygan County
- Chippewa County
- Clare County
- Clinton County
- Crawford County
- Delta County
- Dickinson County
- Eaton County
- Emmet County
- Genesee County
- Gladwin County
- Gogebic County
- Grand traverse County
- Gratiot County
- Hillsdale County
- Houghton County
- Huron County
- Ingham County
- Ionia County
- Iosco County
- Iron County
- Isabella County
- Jackson County
- Kalamazoo County
- Kalkaska County
- Kent County
- Keweenaw County
- Lake County
- Lapeer County
- Leelanau County
- Lenawee County
- Livingston County
- Luce County
- Mackinac County
- Macomb County
- Manistee County
- Marquette County
- Mason County
- Mecosta County
- Menominee County
- Midland County
- Missaukee County
- Monroe County
- Montcalm County
- Montmorency County
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Oakland County
- Oceana County
- Ogemaw County
- Ontonagon County
- Osceola County
- Oscoda County
- Otsego County
- Ottawa County
- Presque isle County
- Roscommon County
- Saginaw County
- Sanilac County
- Schoolcraft County
- Shiawassee County
- St clair County
- St joseph County
- Tuscola County
- Van buren County
- Washtenaw County
- Wayne County
- Wexford County
Questions
What septic systems are allowed in Michigan?
landplan.io permits these system types in Michigan: Bed Distribution System, Trench Distribution System, Infiltrator Advanced Treatment Leachfield, Infiltrator Advanced Enviro-Septic® (AES), Alternative System Wisconsin Mound, Bed Distribution System with Pressure Laterals and Alternative System Low Pressure Pipe.
What size septic tank do I need in Michigan?
landplan.io sizes the septic tank in Michigan from the daily design flow: up to 240 gal/day: 1,000 gallons; 240 to 360 gal/day: 1,500 gallons; 360 to 600 gal/day: 2,000 gallons; larger flows need larger tanks. A home's design flow is 150 gal/day per bedroom, at least 240 gal/day.
Does landplan.io have parcel data in Michigan?
Yes, for 61 of Michigan's 83 counties, and part of 2 more.