On March 11, 2024, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the County Code (Chapter 10 Lakes and Waterways) to promote public health and the general welfare of Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake.

This amendment requires all properties with a dwelling(s) within 500 feet of the full pond elevation of Smith Mountain Lake and Leesville Lake that are served by private sewage disposal systems to be pumped out at least once every five years and kept in good repair to function as originally intended.

Notification letters will be sent out each year to property owners that are subject to this new pump-out requirement. A list of properties that are subject to this new requirement can be found here.

Exceptions 

There are some exceptions to this new requirement if either of the following apply:

• The dwelling on your property is served by public sewer; or
• A residential alternative onsite sewage disposal system serves the dwelling. This system shall be inspected and maintained according to the Virginia Department of Health Chapter 613, Regulations for Alternative Onsite Sewage Disposal System.

Contact Bedford County Community Development at 540-586-7616 if one of the exclusions applies to your property so that our information can be updated for future notices related to the requirements of County Code, Chapter 10, Section 10-3.

Register After Pump Out

Once you have the private sewage disposal system pumped out, you will need to register by applying for a zoning permit from Bedford County Community Development. Our office is located on the first floor of the Bedford County Administration Building (122 East Main Street, Bedford). You can also apply online through Bedford County’s Citizens Self-Service System. (Apply for the “Mandatory Sewage Disposal System Pump-out” permit). To process your registration, the following will be needed:

• Proof of the private sewage disposal system pump-out (must include date, location, and services rendered by sewage handler, who is certified by the Virginia Department of Health).
• A $20 registration fee, which can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. If you choose to pay by check, please make the check payable to the Bedford County Treasurer.