Soil and perc tests in Baldwin County, Alabama

USDA rates most of the soil in Baldwin County Very limited for septic absorption fields — 89.4% of the rated acres. A licensed evaluator checks the soil. The evaluator may use a percolation test or another method the state allows. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-13

Very limited

USDA rating, 89.4% of rated acres

checked 2026-09-13

Depth to saturated zone

Most common limiting reason

checked 2026-09-13

Yes

Site evaluation required

checked 2026-09-23

What is a perc test and does Baldwin County require one?

Yes. A licensed evaluator checks the soil. The evaluator may use a percolation test or another method the state allows.

An engineer, a land surveyor, a geologist, or a soil classifier may check the site. The check uses six factors this rule sets.

Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 420-3-1-.37, Site Limitation Determination · checked 2026-09-23

How USDA rates the ground in Baldwin County

Very limited across most of the county — 89.4% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

Very limited — 813,745 acres — 89.4% of 909,983 rated acres.
Not limited — 77,953 acres — 8.6% of 909,983 rated acres.
Somewhat limited — 18,285 acres — 2.0% of 909,983 rated acres.
Not rated — 59,238 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

89.4% of 909,983 rated acres. 59,238 acres unrated. Survey area AL003 version 18, established 2025-08-31.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-13

What limits absorption here

The reasons USDA gives for the rating, by the acres they affect. A component can carry several, so the acres overlap.

Depth to saturated zone — 513,284 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slow water movement — 463,950 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Seepage, bottom layer — 348,153 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Flooding — 294,473 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Ponding — 196,827 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Filtering capacity — 195,044 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slope — 118,646 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Subsidence — 62,279 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.

Ratings by soil map unit

The largest map units in the county, each with its rating. A soil survey names the ground. The county's evaluation of your lot is what a permit turns on.

LaB — Lakeland loamy fine sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 91,860 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Lakeland (85% of the map unit).
Hb — Hyde, Bayboro, and Muck soils — 71,571 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Hyde (40% of the map unit).
W — Water — 58,280 acres in this county — rated Not rated. Dominant component: Water (100% of the map unit).
Wc — Wet clayey alluvial land — 49,394 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Maurepas (40% of the map unit).
BwD — Bowie, Lakeland, and Cuthbert soils, 8 to 12 percent slopes — 48,421 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Bowie (31% of the map unit).
Wm — Wet loamy alluvial land — 41,030 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Johnston (45% of the map unit).
PmB — Plummer loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 35,533 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Plummer (90% of the map unit).
MaA — Malbis fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes — 29,898 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Malbis (85% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-13

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

Alabama Department of Public Health — Baldwin County, Contact Us · checked 2026-09-23
Alabama Department of Public Health — Baldwin County, Environmental Office · checked 2026-09-23
Baldwin County Subdivision Regulations, Section 5.4(g), citing Code of Alabama § 45-2-260 · checked 2026-09-23
Baldwin County Zoning Ordinance, Section 13.4.1 · checked 2026-09-23
Baldwin County Health Department — Existing System Certification Guidelines · checked 2026-09-23
Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 420-3-1-.37, Site Limitation Determination · checked 2026-09-23
Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 420-3-1-.13, Time Limitations And Permitting Actions · checked 2026-09-23
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-13
Alabama Department of Public Health — Septic Tank System Homeowner's Guide & Records Folder · checked 2026-09-23

Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the county environmental health office, on 251-947-3618.