Kraemer Tower

Septic System

The septic system is the gate to everything else. Until it’s installed and inspected, the tower can’t be permitted for overnight use. Finishing it is the next thing.

Where we are right now (May 2026)

Concrete septic tank being lowered into the excavated pit, July 2022

The tank was set on July 13, 2022 — a crane truck lifting it into the excavated pit. Work paused before the lines and drainfield were finished.

A permit was issued and the tank was placed nearly four years ago. The permit’s current legal status is the single most important fact to nail down before anything else happens.

Under Polk County rules (delegated authority from Oregon DEQ), a septic construction permit expires if work is suspended for 180 days. Once expired, the permit can be renewed within two years by filing a Permit Renewal Request Form, paying an administrative fee, and paying an inspection fee for each remaining inspection — provided the original plans haven’t changed. If more than two years have passed since expiration, it’s a new application: site evaluation + new construction permit.

Next action: call Polk County Community Development at 503-623-9237 with the property address (12875 Kings Valley Highway, Monmouth) and ask for the file. We need:

Who does the work

Oregon DEQ rules (OAR 340-071-0600) allow homeowner self-installation. A septic system may be constructed by either the property owner or a DEQ-licensed installer using DEQ-approved materials. The owner’s regular employee (Eli, on payroll) is also covered.

This means Dave and Eli do the work, with Cody and Russell advising as friends and neighbors. The licensed-installer rule applies to businesses, not owners.

What’s already on the ground

To be filled in after Eli’s first inventory pass.

What’s left to do

To be filled in after Cody and Russell’s first advisory site visit.

Reference

The full Polk County septic rules summary lives at Rules & Permits.