SEPTIC TANKS, DRY WELLS, TILE FIELDS, SCAVENGERS.
Madison General Ordinances § 7.35
in effect7.35 - SEPTIC TANKS, DRY WELLS, TILE FIELDS, SCAVENGERS.
(1) No person shall construct any septic tank, dry well or tile disposal field within the City of Madison without first having obtained a permit from the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County and paying a fee therefor in the amount of ten dollars ($10) to the City Treasurer. No such permit shall be issued where a public sewer is accessible. When a permit is issued for areas where public sewer is not available, all restrictions relative to sewage disposal shown on the subdivision plat shall be complied with.
(a) No such permit shall be issued for any septic tank, disposal field or dry well where the disposal field or dry well area or any part thereof will be in violation of paragraph (b) hereof.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, suffer or permit any septic tank effluent disposal area or dry well or any part thereof to be constructed or reconstructed within two hundred (200) feet of any lake or river shoreline or within ten (10) feet above any water table in areas where soils are principally sand or gravel or within one hundred (100) feet of any lake or river shoreline or within four (4) feet above any water table in areas where soils are other than principally sand or gravel.
(c) Applicants for such permit shall furnish a detailed plan of the proposed installation specifying the location of the building served, size and design of septic tank, and location of absorption system in relation to any lot line, shoreline or existing water well. Sufficient percolation tests shall also be furnished by the applicant and, if required by the Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County for a specific property, sufficient soil borings shall be furnished. The Director of Public Health Madison and Dane County shall establish compliance with all municipal and state laws, including regulations contained within Wis. Admin. Code chs. SPS 383-387, before issuing the permit. (Am. by ORD-12-00149, 12-5-12)
(2) All vehicles used by scavengers as provided in Section 9.19 shall be under the supervision of Public Health Madison and Dane County. Vehicles shall be kept clean. Flies shall be prevented from gaining access to contents. (Am. by Ord. 7899, 12-29-82)
(3) Sludge, Scum and Liquid Effluent.
(a) Sludge, scum and any liquid effluent whatsoever when removed from a septic tank sewage disposal system is hereby declared to be a public nuisance and a health hazard and a menace to individual and public health.
(b) Removal and disposal of wastewater, sludge, and scum from a private septic system shall be done in accordance with Wis. Admin. Code ch. NR 113.
(Am. by ORD-12-00140, 11-12-12) (Am. by ORD-15-00009, 1-28-15)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH7PUHE_7.35SETADRWETIFISCFetched: 11/1/2026