If a single on-site system is designed to serve both yourself and a neighbor on a separate lot and meets all design regulations, can you obtain a building permit?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only if both properties are owned by the same person
• D. Only with council approval

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that on-site wastewater systems are tied to the property they serve and to the owner of that property. Even if a single system could technically meet design regulations, the permit process typically requires either a separate system for each parcel or a formally approved shared system with a legal agreement covering both lots. Without that ownership and maintenance arrangement, a building permit isn’t issued because one property owner would be responsible for a system that serves another parcel, raising accountability, maintenance, and regulatory compliance issues. So, you cannot obtain a building permit under these circumstances unless there is a formal shared-system approval and the proper legal and regulatory steps are completed.