Septic rules and requirements in Maricopa County, Arizona

Septic permits in Maricopa County are issued by the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department. A new system permit costs $757. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 56.1% of the rated acres. Maricopa County — Onsite Wastewater Systems, Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-09-23

Maricopa County Environmental Services

Issues the permit

checked 2026-09-23

$757

Septic system permit

checked 2026-09-23

Very limited

USDA rating, 56.1% of rated acres

checked 2026-09-16

Who issues septic permits in Maricopa County?

Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, at 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85003, 602-506-6666. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.

The state lets the county run its own septic program. This office sets the review steps. It checks each site. It inspects every system it approves.

This is the office's phone line for septic questions.

Maricopa County — Onsite Wastewater Systems, Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-09-23

What does a septic permit cost in Maricopa County?

$757 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.

Applies to a new septic system with a flow under 3,000 gallons a day.

The county's fee table for this permit
Septic Tank Conventional Disposal less than 3000 gallons/day shown above	$757	a conventional system of up to 3,000 gallons a day
Septic Tank Alternative System 4.04-4.22 with one Alternative Element less than 3,000 gal/day	$1,344	a alternative system of up to 3,000 gallons a day
Composting Toilet less than 3000 gal/day	$400	a system of up to 3,000 gallons a day the source lists as composting toilet system

It replaced the county's older flat fee for the same permit. It covers gravity trenches, pits, beds, and chambers. A different fee covers an alternative, aerobic, or bigger system.

Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23

What does an inspection cost in Maricopa County?

These are prices, not permit fees. Each one comes from a government source.

$402 for an inspection.

Applies to a site inspection of an onsite wastewater system, the fee revised August 19, 2026.

The department charges this fee to inspect an onsite wastewater system.

Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23

Is the soil in Maricopa County suitable for a septic system?

USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 56.1% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

Very limited — 1,944,812 acres — 56.1% of 3,468,598 rated acres.
Somewhat limited — 832,448 acres — 24.0% of 3,468,598 rated acres.
Not limited — 691,338 acres — 19.9% of 3,468,598 rated acres.
Not rated — 918,025 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Does Maricopa County inspect a septic system when a house is sold?

The seller of a home with a septic system must hire an inspector. The check must come within six months of the sale.

Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control · checked 2026-09-23

What Maricopa County sets itself

The state writes the code. Maricopa County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Arizona requirements.

$757

Applies to a new septic system with a flow under 3,000 gallons a day.

It replaced the county's older flat fee for the same permit. It covers gravity trenches, pits, beds, and chambers. A different fee covers an alternative, aerobic, or bigger system.

Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
The county requires a hair and lint trap on the drain into a septic system.

Applies to a hair salon, a commercial laundry, or a pet or horse grooming shop.

This is the county's own rule. The state's septic rules say nothing about hair or lint traps.

Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter II Section VIII — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities · checked 2026-09-23

Sources

Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. USDA's Soil Data Access service supplies the soil records. A script writes them, and nobody types them.

Maricopa County — Onsite Wastewater Systems, Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Onsite Wastewater Forms / Applications · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Locations & Hours · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter II Section VIII — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Site Investigation and Soils Evaluation Instructions · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Notice of Intent to Discharge Instructions · checked 2026-09-23
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Online Septic Research · checked 2026-09-23
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control · checked 2026-09-23
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-16

Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, on 602-506-6666.