Home expansion requires septic tank conversion?

[Chunkster]

I spoke with a contractor today about a 240 square foot addition to our house. He told me that the additional living space would trigger the new septic tank regulations to require us to decommission our cesspool and replace it with a septic tank. Total additional cost would be about $13,000 which would be a dramatic cost increase. Anyone know if his interpretation of the rules is correct?

[dakine]

It's probably true, but there is one possible bright side in that you probably will be able to recoup a large portion of the expense through Act 120.

From http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/taxcredit/

Act 120 provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic tank system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system. A taxpayer may apply for a tax credit of up to $10,000 for each qualified cesspool. Tax credits are available for five years. The tax credit starts in tax year 2016, January 1, 2016 and ends in tax year 2020, December 31, 2020. There is a $5,000,000 cap that is available for each tax year. Any taxpayer who is not eligible to claim the credit in a taxable year shall be eligible to claim the credit in the subsequent taxable years from 2017 to 2020.

Pay attention to the above in that it is a short lived program that is best jumped on immediately rather than otherwise.

[randomq]

So, if you own high value shoreline property, and have enough income to make the state tax credit useful, enjoy this free government money.

If you are the other 99% of the big island, living inland or mauka, retired or not making much money, then you can't legally add more living space for your family without paying the additional $13,000.

Of course, the end goal is to make it so expensive to live here that we all lose our homes, and the rich can move in and gentrify our neighborhoods. More tax revenue for the politicians making it all happen. You'll be able to work two jobs to rent a small hot apartment in kona.

[kalakoa]

additional living space would trigger the new septic tank regulations

See if they can be more specific about the "trigger" -- it may only apply to "additional bedroom" and/or "project exceeds $10K"...

[Tink]

There should be a written amendment either State wastewater, or Building Code, which I can not find in either. In it, there should be something to the effect of "additions totalling 50% or more of existing square footage shall...", or " any significant alteration or addition shall..." in the text somewhere, or something similar.
Whoever finds the link first, please forward here for all to reference in the future. Mahalo!

Community begins with Aloha

[kalakoa]

11-62-06(m) The director, at the director's discretion, may require that a wastewater system be upgraded to meet the applicable requirements of this chapter whenever a building modification is proposed that may change the nature or quantity of wastewater flowing to the wastewater system. The modification may include but not be limited to adding additional bedrooms to a dwelling

Act surprised: the relevant rules and laws ("for everyone") leave it up to "the director's discretion".

[Tink]

Never seen such a "weasel out" in any jurisdiction I have worked, both as tradesman and inspector. Guess two can play that game, a bedroom all of a sudden is a "media room", or "office".

Mahalo, Kalakoa for finding the amendment for myself and others.

Community begins with Aloha

[kalakoa]

a bedroom all of a sudden is a "media room", or "office"

It's a "screened lanai" which cost under $10K and doesn't count as "living space".

After ink dries on the permits ... go put in some windows.

[terracore]

Lesson learned: Don't get permits for an addition. Well played county.... well played.

[dakine]

Don't get permits for an addition unless of course if you want to capitalize on the increased value they add to your home when you sell it.