Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Altadena Rebuilds May Proceed Without Immediate Septic Testing, Public Health Says

[photo credit: Los Angeles County Department of Public Health]

To keep rebuilds moving on properties using cesspools, Los Angeles County Public Health officials on Monday outlined allowances for like-for-like reconstruction and announced a forthcoming covenant that could defer costly geotechnical testing by committing owners to future upgrades if systems fail.

The announcement came during the Oct. 6 Altadena Community Meeting, where Los Angeles County Department of Public Health  Deputy Director Azar Kattan said the covenant is being drafted and undergoing legal review, with release targeted for early November. The document would allow homeowners to proceed with construction while agreeing to install advanced wastewater treatment systems only if their existing cesspools fail.

Under current post-fire rebuilding rules, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board permits continued use of existing cesspools for like-for-like rebuilds in Altadena, provided the cesspool remains functional and no additional wastewater load is introduced. That means homeowners may not add bedrooms or bedroom equivalents, pools, spas, accessory dwelling units or any other feature that would increase wastewater flow.

If additional bedrooms or equivalents are planned, the property must either connect to a public sewer—if one is located within 200 linear feet—or upgrade to a septic system. Approval from the Department of Public Health is required for any septic system conversions. These conversions typically require designation of a future expansion area, which involves geotechnical testing such as soil or percolation analysis.

Public Health’s Environmental Health Division is exploring alternatives to that upfront testing, including the covenant approach.

Kattan said the covenant may eliminate the need for immediate geological testing and allow construction to proceed while maintaining compliance. The approach is also considered cost-effective for properties near planned public sewer projects, as it could defer expenses that may become unnecessary if those projects are completed.

Residents can find more information at www.ph.lacounty.gov or email questions to dlanduse@ph.lacounty.gov.