Septic permits and fees in Maricopa County, Arizona
A septic system permit in Maricopa County costs $757. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Maricopa County Environmental Services Department issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 1,000 gallons. A private well needs 100 feet from the whole system, a property line 5 feet. Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
$757
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
1,000 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
100 feet
System to a well
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Maricopa County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. Maricopa County calls this a site and soils evaluation. It measures how fast the soil drains through test holes. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The county's own staff usually run this test. A registered engineer, a geologist, or a sanitarian may run it instead. The department must say yes to them first.
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Site Investigation and Soils Evaluation Instructions · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Maricopa County?
$757 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a new septic system with a flow under 3,000 gallons a day.
| Septic Tank Conventional Disposal less than 3000 gallons/day | $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 state law fixes for every Arizona system
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1,000 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a 3-bedroom house with 21 or fewer plumbing fixtures.
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control · checked 2026-09-23
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100 feet from a private drinking-water well to any part of the system
Applies to the general rule. The department may set a different distance for one site or one permit.
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control · checked 2026-09-23
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5 feet from any property line
Applies to a property line not shared with a lot served by a well or a shared drinking water system.
Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control · checked 2026-09-23
What Maricopa County requires that the state does not
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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
Where do you file the application with Maricopa County Environmental Services Department?
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department, 301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 170, Phoenix, AZ 85003, 602-506-6666.
This is the office's phone line for septic questions.
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Onsite Wastewater Forms / Applications · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Ask the department for a Phase I site and soils evaluation. It digs three test holes and checks how the soil drains.
- Apply for the Phase I permit and pay the site inspection fee. The county gives you a tracking number for the whole project.
- Stake the property corners, the house corners, and the test holes. Post a sign with your tracking number at the property entrance.
- Use the site results to design the system. Submit a Phase II application with its plan review fee.
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Site Investigation and Soils Evaluation Instructions · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Maricopa County?
Ask Maricopa County Environmental Services Department for the permit record for the property. Call 602-506-6666 or start at its website.
Maricopa County — Onsite Wastewater Systems, Frequently Asked Questions · checked 2026-09-23
The tool covers septic records the county has already scanned. A written request to the department can find an older record, for a fee.
Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Online Septic Research · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Maricopa County — Onsite Wastewater Systems, Frequently Asked Questions
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Onsite Wastewater Forms / Applications
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Locations & Hours
- Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter II Section VIII — Onsite Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- Maricopa County Environmental Health Code, Chapter I — Fee Schedule
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Site Investigation and Soils Evaluation Instructions
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Notice of Intent to Discharge Instructions
- Maricopa County Environmental Services Department — Online Septic Research
- Arizona Administrative Code, Title 18, Chapter 9 — Department of Environmental Quality, Water Pollution Control
- USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO)
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.