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HHE-200 & HHE-204 Updates

Subsurface Wastewater Disposal System 
Permit Application (HHE-200) and Variance Request (HHE-204)

The HHE-200 and HHE-204 forms have been updated and can be used for permitting when released at the beginning of 2026. Previous versions of the forms will be acceptable until January 1, 2028.

Download the New Forms

Training

HHE-200 and HHE-204 Presentations

Instructions to receive CEUs

To receive CEUs for viewing a recording of a State SSWW training, please watch the training and then send an email with 3-4 sentences about something you took away from the training to eli.pellegrino@maine.gov and brent.lawson@maine.gov by January 30th, 2026. After that date, no CEUs will be awarded, but the trainings will remain available for informational purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Why were the HHE-200 and HHE-204 forms updated?

The last substantial change to the HHE-200 happened in the late 1980’s, before house numbers and email addresses were commonplace.  Since then, the Rules have changed, how we store permits has changed, and septic systems have become more complex.

Our updates to the forms attempt to reflect all of this. Space has been added to both the HHE-200 and HHE-204 for tracking contact information, drawing designs, noting advanced/ pre-treatment components, and more. Additionally, references to the Rules were updated to reflect the renumbering of sections in the 2023 Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules. 

What are the main improvements of the HHE-200?

This form will make it easier for town offices to:

  • Contact the property owner/ applicant
  • Contact the system installer
  • Sign off on both of the required system inspections
  • Identify the components of the system & determine the permit fee
  • Explain the reasons for a variance

This form will make it easier for site evaluators to: 

  • Draw system designs at a larger size
  • Make notes on components of the system
  • Add information about pre-/advanced treatment, including if there’s a maintenance contract required
  • Clarify the number and type of tanks being proposed
  • Reference tables in the Rules

This form will make it easier for the State to:

  • Confirm permit fees
  • Digitize permits for our online database
In more detail, what’s changed with the new HHE-200 and HHE-204? 

The HHE-200

Page 1:

  • The old page 1 was expanded into 2 pages (new pages 1 & 2).
  • Page 1 is now primarily for contact information, permit pricing, and basic permit information.
  • Boxes for capturing property owner email addresses and installer information were added.
  • The area for LPI inspections was updated to include spots for two signatures with dates.
  • Additional area was added for the calculation of permit fees, as well as a box to check off for revised permits.
  • Additional areas were added to the disposal components to better reflect the components of the design, which also helps the town with pricing the permit. 

Page 2:

  • Page 2 is primarily for information about the site design.
  • Boxes for capturing information about pre-/advancement components were added.
  • By request, extra space was used to allow more notes in “specify” sections and for any additional notes about the system.

Pages 3 & 4:

  • The septic system design pages were left largely unchanged.

Alternative Page 3:

  • This is an entirely new page, inspired by our engineered septic system form.
  • This page allows site evaluators to attach system designs on 8.5” by 11” pages, instead of using pages 3 & 4. This change is to allow site evaluators more space to draw their designs, instead of just the small space allowed on pages 3 & 4.
  • Alternative page three captures information that would have been on pages 3 & 4, as well as confirming that the site evaluator will attach any additional required information to the permit along with the designs. If the site evaluator does not attach all the required information before the application is submitted to the LPI, the LPI must refuse the application and require that all information is submitted.
  • We have long seen permits with septic system designs attached to the end of the application. This new page is to formalize what was already happening.

Alternative Design Page:

  • This page is for drawing septic system designs and can be used in combination with Alternative Page 3.
  • Site evaluators are not required to use this page when using Alternative Page 3.
  • This page exists due to feedback from site evaluators, stating that they would like a formal page to use for attaching designs. 

The HHE-204

Page 1: 

  • This page is largely unchanged. Additional space for noting the variance request was added. 

Page 2:

  • The information on this page is largely unchanged.
  • The page was redesigned to better show if the permit required the LPI’s approval only or both LPI and State approval.

Page 3:

  • This page contains the variance setback table.
  • The setback page used to be a part of the variance form. It was removed on a previous version, but, due to it’s utility, has been added back.
  • This page was also designed to be landscape for readability. 
Did the State involve any outside parties during the new form development process?

Yes. The State spent over a year on this form update, which included multiple rounds of feedback from various outside parties, including LPIs, engineers, and site evaluators. Most notably, we worked with Maine Association of Site Evaluators (MASE) to receive feedback from site evaluators. Their valuable feedback inspired significant portions of the permit update. We also presented this form at the two 2025 SSWW Spring trainings and incorporated feedback from those events as well.

Will there be a training on the new forms?

Yes. We will be holding a webinar on December 3, 2025, at 2:00pm with a program that will cover the new forms. The session will be led by Brent Lawson and Eli Pellegrino. 1 CEU will be awarded to every LPI and site evaluator that registers and attends. A recording of the presentation will be available on this webpage by 12/12/2025.

Additionally, the annual spring trainings, hosted by Brent Lawson, will cover the new forms. The dates for these will be announced as the training dates draw near. 

Were there any changes to the HHE-211 (Internal Plumbing) or the HHE-200A (New Tank Only) permit applications?

No. Those permit applications have not been changed. 

Form Use

Can I still use the old forms for a while?

Yes. We are providing a 1-year grace period to help with the transition/adaptation of the new forms. 

Use of the new forms will be required starting January 1, 2028. 

Do I need to reapply or resubmit existing permits using the new forms?

No. Designs that are already permitted do not need to be redone. Designs that are currently in progress on the old form are fine, as long as they are submitted to the town for permitting before 1/1/27. 

If you suspect that an application you’re working on in 2026 won’t be submitted until the 2027 season, we suggest that you fill out that application using the new form. 

Will the new forms change how applications are evaluated or approved?

No. Applications will be evaluated and approved the same as before.

Are there any new legal obligations or declarations?

No, there are no new legal obligations or attestations on the forms. 

The only new declaration is on alternative page three. This is where the site evaluator declares that the attached pages contain all of the information required by alternative page 3. The language in that section is adapted from the site evaluator language on page 1.

Will site evaluators be required to fill out the new installer section?

No. Site evaluators do not need to fill out this section. This section is for use by the issuing town office, so that they can record the installer’s information during the LPI’s inspection process. Since Towns typically send the State permits before the inspection process has happened, the State will not require this section to be filled out prior to submission to the State office.

Town Use

My town has the old HHE-200 and HHE-204 forms on our website. How do we update that?

We recommend that your office provide a direct link to this page.

If you would like to provide a download of the forms, please provide the fillable PDF version.

My town uses an online permitting system based around the old version of the HHE-200. What do we do now?

You can continue to use your systems with the old HHE-200 until January 2027. After which, you will need to update them to the new permits. Microsoft Word versions of the new forms can be provided upon request. 

If your office runs into any issues or needs additional time to update your online permit submittal process, please reach out to the SSWW unit to discuss. 

Either request can be made to subsurface.wastewater@maine.gov. 

Have the fees changed?

No. All fees for internal and external plumbing permits remain the same. For your convenience, we have a fee schedule available on our website. 

Technical Help

What will happen to my CAD versions?

We are providing CAD versions of the new HHE-200 form. You are welcome to adapt it to your liking (as long as you don’t change the form itself). 

I am having trouble downloading the forms. Who do I contact?

Subsurface.wastewater@maine.gov

Please try troubleshooting before contacting us. Issues like poor internet connection, your browser’s security settings, a full hard drive, or corrupted browser data might be impacting your ability to download the form. 

Try using a different browser, checking your internet connection, and/ or ensuring that you have enough space to download the file on your computer.

Can I provide feedback about my experience using the forms?

Yes, we appreciate hearing your feedback. While we likely won’t make any small-scale changes, if there’s a significant issue with a form or with a download file, please let us know. 

We can be reached at subsurface.wastewater@maine.gov.