HB483 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ed OliverRepresentative

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Tim WadsworthDebbie Wood

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Onsite Wastewater Board, privately owned wastewater systems exempt from regulation by the board, Sec. 34-21A-10 am'd.

Summary

HB483 changes the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board rules to exempt certain distributors, owners with multiple systems, and general contractors from board licensure or regulation, and lets some homeowners install and maintain their own septic systems without board involvement.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 34-21A-10 to add exemptions from licensure and regulation by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board for specific groups. It exempts distributors of septic tanks and onsite systems; owners of multiple wastewater systems or groups with a design flow of 15,000 gallons per day or greater; and general contractors with a municipal and utility endorsement when installing or maintaining those systems. It also preserves a homeowner exemption allowing owners of a one-family or two-family primary residence to install, clean, service, or maintain their own onsite system without board involvement, as long as they do it themselves. The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor.

Who It Affects

• Distributors of septic tanks or onsite wastewater systems, who will no longer be licensed or regulated by the Alabama Onsite Wastewater Board.
• Owners who operate multiple wastewater systems or a system that is part of a group with at least one system design flow of 15,000 GPD or greater, who will be exempt from board licensure/regulation.
• General contractors with a municipal and utility endorsement, when installing or maintaining the applicable wastewater systems, who will be exempt from board licensure/regulation.
• Property owners of a single-family or two-family primary residence, who may install and maintain their own onsite system without board involvement if they perform the work themselves.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 34-21A-10 to add exemptions from licensure and regulation for specified groups.
• Exempts distributors of septic tanks and onsite systems from licensure/regulation by the board.
• Exempts owners of multiple wastewater systems or group systems with a design flow of 15,000 GPD or greater from licensure/regulation by the board.
• Exempts general contractors with a municipal and utility endorsement when installing or maintaining the qualifying systems.
• Preserves the homeowner self-installation/maintenance exemption for one-family or two-family primary residences, provided all work is done by the owner without help.
• Effective date: first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Onsite Wastewater Board