Sewer Permits

A sewer permit is required when a building or property connects to the sanitary sewer or is temporarily or permanently disconnected from the sanitary sewer; when a sewer lateral is being altered, replaced, or repaired in the municipal right-of-way or easement; or when an addition, alteration, or change in use of a building or property will increase the anticipated daily volume of sewage. Lateral repairs or alterations located entirely on private property, and not associated with any other item listed above, do not require a Sewer Permit. A Plumbing Permit may still be required. 

Applicants must notify the Sewer Department prior to beginning any work under an approved Sewer Permit and schedule an inspection with the Sewer Department for any sewer connections or disconnections, any work on a sewer lateral within the right-of-way or public easements, and any work that will affect the public sewer. Inspections will take place after the pipe is laid and connected, but before the pipe is covered. Any part of the work which may have been covered prior to inspection must be uncovered at the request of the Sewer Department’s representative. Applicants must contact the Sewer Department at least one business day prior to needing an inspection. Appointments are on a first-come-first-served basis. Inspection appointments may be made for 8:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, or 1:00 PM Monday through Friday. Call the Sewer Department at 609-497-7639 to schedule an inspection appointment.

Applicants must submit copies of any site plans, architectural or engineering drawings, plumbing schematics, floor plans, and/or other drawings created for the project. Applicants may use the space provided in the application to draw a sketch of the project if no other drawings were created or to supplement the drawing(s) submitted by the applicant. If the drawing(s) and/or sketch are not clear, legible, at an appropriate scale, and provide the information requested in the application, the application will be returned to the applicant.

If a connection fee is assessed, the fee must be paid prior to approval of the permit. Sewer Department staff will calculate the connection fee after reviewing the sewer permit application. Do not submit payment until a member of the Sewer Department has contacted you to confirm the amount due. The Sewer Department only accepts payment by check at this time. Connection fees are calculated and assessed in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40A:26A-11 et seq. and N.J.A.C. 7:14A-23.3.

As a condition of the sewer permit, the applicant may be required to submit a video recording of a sewer lateral inspection to the Sewer Department for review. The purpose of the inspection is to confirm that the lateral is operable, structurally sound, and leak free. The Sewer Department will indicate if a video inspection is required on the permit. Lateral inspections are discussed in more detail in the Lateral Video Inspection Requirements (PDF) document. 

Completed applications may be mailed or dropped off to our office at 400 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, NJ 08540. Incomplete or incorrect applications will be returned to the applicant. Please download and complete the Sewer Permit Application (PDF) to apply for a sewer permit.