Septic permits and fees in Yavapai County, Arizona
A septic system permit in Yavapai County costs $550. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Yavapai County Development Services, Environmental Services Unit issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 1,000 gallons. A private well needs 100 feet from the whole system. Yavapai County Development Services — Approved Fees and Refund Policy · checked 2026-09-23
$550
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
What are the current septic fees in Yavapai County?
$550 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a residential conventional system with a design flow under 3,000 gallons a day. It is the smallest of five tiers.
In effect from February 5, 2026.
| Residential Conventional System less than 3000 GPD | $550 | a home with a conventional system of up to 3,000 gallons a day |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Conventional System | $750 | a business with a conventional system |
| Conventional System more than 3000 GPD but less than 75,000 GPD | $2,500 | a conventional system of 3,000 to 75,000 gallons a day |
| Alternative System Residential and Commercial | $1,050 | a alternative system |
| Composting Toilet | $400 | a system the source lists as composting toilet system |
The county sets this fee itself, not the state. It took effect February 5, 2026. It costs more for a business system. It costs more still for a bigger system. A tank-only or repair permit costs less. The other system type costs the most.
Yavapai County Development Services — Approved Fees and Refund Policy · 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 house with one or two bedrooms and seven or fewer plumbing fixtures.
This is the floor under R18-9-A314. A bigger home needs a bigger tank. The table covers up to seven bedrooms. This is a state rule, not a county rule.
Arizona Administrative Code, R18-9-A314, Septic Tank Design, Manufacturing, and Installation for On-site Wastewater Treatment Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
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100 feet from a private drinking-water well to any part of the system
Applies to a public or private water supply well.
This is the state's setback table, R18-9-A312. A lake, reservoir or stream carries the same distance. A drinking-water intake carries more. A property line carries less. This is a state rule, not a county rule.
Arizona Administrative Code, R18-9-A312, Facility Design for Type 4 On-site Wastewater Treatment Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
What Yavapai County requires that the state does not
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The county must certify each tester.
The county tests and certifies people for free. An owner may instead hire a licensed engineer or sanitarian. The county then charges a small review fee. The state sets no such rule.
Yavapai County Ordinance No. 1996-1, Requiring Perc Testers to Be Certified · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with Yavapai County Development Services, Environmental Services Unit?
Yavapai County Development Services, Environmental Services Unit, 1120 Commerce Drive, Prescott, AZ 86305, 928-771-3214.
The Prescott office.
Yavapai County — Septic Permits · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Fill out the Septic Permit Application. Pick the form for your system type. Attach the site investigation results.
- Add a floor plan. Label every room, doorway and window. Attach the plot plan and directions to the property.
- Submit this online. The county's own portal takes it.
- The Environmental Services Unit reviews the application. It then issues a permit to build the system.
- The Environmental Services Unit inspects the system. This happens before the county accepts it.
Yavapai County — Septic Permits · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Yavapai County?
Ask Yavapai County Development Services, Environmental Services Unit for the permit record for the property. Call 928-771-3214 or start at its website.
Yavapai County — Environmental Services Unit · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Yavapai County — Environmental Services Unit
- Yavapai County — Septic Permits
- Yavapai County Ordinance No. 1996-1, Requiring Perc Testers to Be Certified
- Yavapai County Development Services — Approved Fees and Refund Policy
- Yavapai County — Development Services
- Arizona Administrative Code, R18-9-A314, Septic Tank Design, Manufacturing, and Installation for On-site Wastewater Treatment Facilities
- 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 Yavapai County Development Services, Environmental Services Unit, on 928-771-3214.