Cambridge, ON onsite wastewater guide

Septic systems in Cambridge: permits, records, inspections and property checks

Cambridge Building Services’ current permit-document checklist explicitly asks for an onsite sewage system design where applicable and Schedule 2 sewage-system installer information. For some developments, building permit drawing requirements also specify the onsite sewage system design. The City’s public guidance is a real submission requirement but does not certify that every Cambridge site uses septic or that the City is always the only authority for systems of every size.

First questionSewer or onsite?
Local lensCambridge Building Services / Ontario Part 8
Before buyingRecords + condition
Before workLocation + capacity

First, confirm this property’s wastewater service

Confirm the lot’s actual sewer connection and filing history. A municipal/health process is not proof that a particular septic system is approved.

Local septic / permit route

Use the local authority route below for septic approvals, permits or records. Confirm sewer connection separately with the municipality or utility.

Open local septic / permit page →

Onsite system confirmed

Check the actual Cambridge property’s connection and the project type before design. When the proposal includes onsite sewage, use the City’s building-permit checklist to supply the septic design, Schedule 2 installer details and any associated site drawings. Confirm the specific Part 8 permit issuer and inspection route with Cambridge Building Services rather than inferring approval from this checklist alone.

City of Cambridge — Building Permits, sewage-system design and installer schedules ↗

Service unknown

Check utility bills and permit records; ask the local authority to confirm current service before planning an onsite inspection or repair.

How to confirm service →
Provincial rule: In Ontario, most onsite sewage systems with design capacity at or below 10,000 litres per day are regulated under the Building Code Act. Permits are typically issued by the local municipality or, in some areas, a health unit; larger systems may require provincial environmental approval. Open provincial / regional onsite-wastewater authority →
Cambridge sewage-system design and Schedule 2 permit-document route verified. Confirm the individual property, existing system design, legal permit and service connection before work.

Who approves septic work around Cambridge?

Ontario regulates most residential onsite sewage systems under Part 8 of the Building Code. Systems with a daily design flow of 10,000 litres or less are generally administered by a municipality, health unit or conservation authority; larger systems fall under the environmental approval regime.

Confirm the exact Part 8 authority before applying. New systems, replacements, major repairs, additions or changes that increase design flow can require permit review, site/soil information, design calculations and inspections before covering.

Cambridge verified local route: Cambridge includes repair or installation of septic systems among work requiring a building permit and lists sewage-system installer and septic design documents among possible submission requirements. Open the official septic/permit source →

Official sources for this guide

If sewage is backing up or surfacing, stop using affected fixtures and contact a qualified professional or the responsible authority. Never enter a septic tank.

Authority check for this area

Local municipal source checked 11 October 2026. Individual onsite system approval, service connection and record searches are not verified by this general guide.