Regulation

Regulation  310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5")

This regulation governs the construction and maintenance of septic systems and the transport of septic-system waste.

This is an unofficial version of Commonwealth regulations and is posted here for the convenience of the public. It is not an official statement of the regulations.

Contact   for 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5")

Septic Systems / Title 5 Contact Information

Table of Contents

Current Regulation

These regulations, 310 CMR 15.000, were amended and became effective as of July 7, 2023.  See links below for final amendments to these regulations.  

Recently Promulgated Amendments - Nitrogen Sensitive Area Provisions

The Watershed Application Table shows the status of filing a Notice of Intent (NOI), Watershed Permit application, or De Minimis Load application for Cape Cod towns with designated Natural Resource Nitrogen Sensitive Areas per 310 CMR 15.000, Title 5. Submission of an NOI, Watershed Permit application, or De Minimis Load application suspends the requirement to incorporate Best Available Nitrogen Reducing Technology (BANRT), pursuant to 310 CMR 15.215(2)(a) for new construction or (2)(b) for existing system upgrades. Please note that the requirement to incorporate BANRT is only suspended in the watersheds for which an NOI, Watershed Permit application, or De Minimis Load application has been received, and in accordance with the conditions specified in 310 CMR 15.215(2).

Watershed Application Table

Nitrogen Sensitive Area Amendments

MassDEP issued amendments to 310 CMR 15.000, effective July 7, 2023, in order to reduce nitrogen loads for coastal estuaries and embayments on Cape Cod.

Archived Recordings and Documents

Title 5 Advisory Committee Meeting:

Notice and Agenda | Advisory Committee Member List | Meeting Presentation
Recording: May 18, 2023

Public Hearings:

Public Hearing Notice: EnglishEspañol | 中文 | 中文(繁體) | Kreyòl Ayisyen | ភាសាខ្មែរ | Português | Tiếng Việt
Revised Public Notice: English | Español | 中文 | 中文(繁體) | Kreyòl Ayisyen | ភាសាខ្មែរ | Português | Tiếng Việt
Recordings: November 30, 2022 | December 1, 2022 | December 5, 2022 | January 24, 2023 | January 25, 2023

Public Information Sessions:

PowerPoint Presentation: English | EspañolPortuguês
Recordings: November 15, 2022 | November 16, 2022 | January 17, 2023 | January 18, 2023

See also: Watershed Permit Regulations, 314 CMR 21.00

Strategy for Nitrogen Impaired Estuaries

Title 5/Groundwater Stakeholder Group

Presented at the October 8, 2020 Stakeholder Group Meeting:

Meeting Recording | Meeting Presentation

Stakeholder Comments and Submittals

During MassDEP's regulatory review efforts under Executive Order 562, a number of stakeholders asked MassDEP to consider changes to the Title 5 regulations and related changes to the Groundwater Discharge Permitting regulations.

Downloads   for 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5")

Contact   for 310 CMR 15.000: Septic Systems ("Title 5")

Help Us Improve Mass.gov  with your feedback

Please do not include personal or contact information.
Feedback