Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know where my septic system is located?

The Health Department maintains septic system records, and should have copies of a septic as-built, septic design plan, or both for your property.  Older properties will not always have records on file.

I would like to build an addition on my house.  Is there a limit to the number of bedrooms which can be constructed on my property?

If any bedrooms are being added to your home, then you will need to update your septic system to accommodate the additional wastewater discharge.  If your lot is located in a Nitrogen Sensitive Area, the wastewater discharge flow is limited to 440 gallons per day per acre.

Who is required to obtain a rental permit from the Health Department?

All homeowners who wish to rent their property as either a year-round or seasonal rental need to complete a rental permit application.  This includes all properties listed with online rental services such as Airbnb.

I think I may have gotten sick after eating in a restaurant in Falmouth.  What should I do?

First, contact your health care provider.  Second, contact the Health Department and provide as much information as possible regarding where you ate at, what you ate, when symptoms started and what symptoms you are experiencing, a food history for the 72 hours leading up to the symptoms, and any other information that may assist us in our investigation.

Where can I dispose of needles?

There is a SHARPS collection kiosk located in the lobby of the Falmouth Fire Department Headquarters, located at 399 Main Street.  Please place needles in a red SHARPS container prior to dropping them in the kiosk; these containers are available free to the public at the kiosk.

What should I do if I find mold in my house?

Start by locating the source of moisture.  Fix the leak or remove the water source, dry the area, then remove the mold using a cleaning product labeled for mold removal.  The EPA no longer recommends bleach to remove mold, as it causes the spores to rupture and can actually spread the mold further.  Please visit our Housing page under the Community Sanitation section for more information and tips.