NH State Approval for New Septic Design Issues

[John Gagnon]

Has anyone ever had any septic design issues with a state approval for a multi family property?

Here's a bit of info:

The property is listed as a multi family home and has been taxed as such for over 20 years (1900 New Hampshire home with 2 units - 2 bedrooms & 1 bathroom each). The property needs a new septic system put in (which requires state approval). Due to the extremely small lot size (.3acre) and a small stream running through the backyard - the state approved a special 4 bedroom septic system design by a professional (after months of working with the state and with 12 state rules broken), but was denied approval for a multi family/duplex septic system design (after months are trying). Current septic system is very old and is probably a grandfathered system by old rules. Unfortunately, there is no public sewer available in this town. 

It seems silly to me that the state would approve a 4 bedroom septic single family design, but not a 4 bedroom septic multi family design - especially where the property has been multi family taxed by the town for over 20 years (or much longer). 

Wondering if the only option is to convert the property to a single family or if there is any way to sway the state to approve and keep it as a multi family? 🤔