For Private Contractors
Licensed Sewer Installers completing sewer connections within the Town of Barnstable should review the provided information, including construction specifications and grinder pump policy, prior to beginning work. To learn more about registering as a Licensed Sewer Installer with the Town of Barnstable, click below.
Connect with Our Sewer Team
The Department of Public Works has a dedicated Sewer Connection Program Manager who works with Licensed Sewer Installers to ensure private sewer connections comply with Town construction specifications. Need assistance?
Resources for Sewer Contractors
Click through the tabs below to apply for required sewer and trench permitting, review construction specifications, and learn more about the Town’s current grinder pump policy.
To complete private sewer connections within the Town of Barnstable, contractors are required to register with the Town. The registration process ensures that contractors meet minimum requirements for critical items, such as liability insurance coverage and adequate experience installing sewer infrastructure. To register as a Licensed Sewer Installer with the Town of Barnstable, please complete the application here: Sewer Installer Registration Form.
Additional permit requirements are explained in detail below:
- Contractors completing private sewer connections within the Town of Barnstable are required to submit a Sewer and Trench Permit at least 72 hours prior to commencing construction.
- Additionally, if you will be assisting the property owner with the decomissioning of their current onsite septic system, a Disposal System Construction Permit is required for septic abandonment.
- Depending on the scope of work, contractors may also be required to submit a Plumbing Permit. A Plumbing Permit is required when the internal plumbing is being changed and/or when the first 10-feet of pipe exiting the building is impacted.
Please note permit fees are subject to change. As of June 30, 2025, Permit Fees are as follows:
| Residential Building Connection | $420 |
| Commercial Building Connection | $875 |
| Surcharge for each additional building on same service | $200 |
| Surcharge for Pump Station | $300 |
| Minor Repair or Disconnect of Existing Service | $50 |
The Town of Barnstable Code outlines requirements for Sewer Connections. Please be sure to review the Town’s Code in detail prior to commencing construction, found here: (Chapter 901) Sewer Connections.
Additionally, the Town of Barnstable has issued construction specifications, relative to sewer connections. Contractors are expected to understand the design and installatoin standards outlined in this document, which can be downloaded here: Design and Installation Standards for Building Sewer Connections.
Please be aware of the following items:
- Contractors must contact the Department of Public Works 48 hours prior to commencing work.
- Work should be completed within the hours of 7:00am to 4:00pm.
- An approved Septic Abandonment Permit should be onsite at the time of connection into the municipal sewer system.
- Review the sewer connection code and specifications, specifically as the requirements relate to work occuring within proximity to water.
- Prior to construction, properties should have utilities marked out. If a property is within the Centerville Osterville Marstons Mills (COMM) Water District, contractors will need to contact COMM directly for markout, as they are not part of Dig Safe.
Please note, current practice within the Town of Barnstable is that if a property requires a grinder pump to facilitate connection to the municipal sewer system, the Town will purchase the first pump and supply it to the private contractor for installation.
As a contractor, you will be responsible for installing the pump per the manufacturer’s specifications. The property owner will then assume responsibility of the pump, including maintenance and future replacement.
- The Town of Barnstable currently utilizes Environment/One Grinder Pump Units (E/One).
- Please note, contractors must provide their Level 2 Certification from E/One prior to installing a grinder pump.
- Trainings are specifically offered through E/One; should you need to complete this training, we recommend you contact F.R. Mahony & Associates to determine if/when upcoming trainings may be scheduled.
Please review the following E/One Pump documentation prior to installation:
- Click to download a copy of F.R. Mahony’s E/One Service Information Brochure
- Click to download a copy of E/One Operation and Maintenance FAQs
- Click to download a copy of E/One Service FAQs
Document Center
Click below to access and/or download copies of available sewer connection documentation and resources.
Sewer Installer Registration
Apply online to become an approved Licensed Sewer Installer.
Sewer and Trench Permit
Apply for permits online. Please allow up to 7-10 business days for processing.
Construction Specifications
Review Design & Installation Standards for building sewer connections.
Homeowner’s Sewer Guide
A comprehensive guide created for Town of Barnstable property owners.
E/One Pump Service Brochure
Review E/One Pump service information from F.R. Mahoney & Associates.
E/One Pump Maintenance
Download FAQs related to E/One Pump operations and maintenance.
Available Sewer Connections
Currently, the Town of Barnstable has completed its first two sewer expansion projects on time and on budget. As of Summer 2025, there are over 300 properties eligible to connect to the newly expanded municipal sewer system.
To the right, you will find buttons for each completed sewer expansion project. Upon clicking, you may download a spreadsheet of properties included in each respective project, which has been generated from publicly available information via the Town’s Assessing Database. Please note: these spreadsheets may include properties that are not eligible to connect, but were provided sewer service laterals during construction. These spreadsheets also do not denote whether a property may have moved to a future project, after construction commenced.
These property owners have been informed of their need to connect to the Town’s sewer system via a Notice of Sewer Connection mandate distributed by the Barnstable Board of Health (BOH). Please note, while BOH Sewer Connection Policy indicates properties must connect within (6) six months of notification, individual properties may be granted extensions. To inquire about the connection timeline for a specific property, please contact the Barnstable Health Division at health@town.barnstable.ma.us or 508-862-4644.
As additional sewer expansion projects are completed, eligible property information will be uploaded.