Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.
Board of Health
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Board of HealthThe Board of Health may require a Title 5 septic inspection if your system has been pumped more than 4 times in a year, has overflowed, shows signs of failure, or you plan renovations that will increase wastewater flow. An inspection is also required when selling or transferring a property with a septic system and/or a Title 5 report that are/is more than 2 years old. A state-certified inspector must do the inspection and send the results to our office within 30 days. Once we accept the report, it is valid for two years.
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Board of HealthThe first step is to contact your pumper to schedule the pumpout. The pumper will contact the Board of Health office to obtain a permit.Tisbury does not currently have treatment or septage disposal facilities available, so the effluent must be trucked off-island.According to state code, you may pump your septic system up to 4 times per year. If you exceed the maximum in 12 months, you will be required to have the system inspected by a state-certified Title 5 inspector.
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Board of Health
In most cases, the Board of Health limits the number of bedrooms in a dwelling based on the size of the septic system that can be constructed on the lot. Exceptions to this include properties within the District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC), a Zone II, or lots served by well water. Properties within 1,500 feet of the mean high water of Lagoon Pond are considered to be located in the DCPC and are limited to one bedroom per 15,000 square feet of land area, with a maximum of three bedrooms for properties under 45,000 square feet. Properties within a Zone II or served by well water are limited to one bedroom per 10,000 square feet of land area. Specific questions about designing a septic system should be addressed with your engineer.
For additional assistance, please contact the Board of Health Office.