Soil and perc tests in Walton County, Florida

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

Yes. The Department requires a site evaluation of the soil and topography before it issues a permit. An applicant may hire a private evaluator, or ask the Department to do it.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting · checked 2026-09-23

How USDA rates the ground in Walton County

Very limited across most of the county — 80.3% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

• Very limited — 540,195 acres — 80.3% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Somewhat limited — 131,018 acres — 19.5% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Not limited — 1,877 acres — 0.3% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Not rated — 61,810 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

80.3% of 673,090 rated acres. 61,810 acres unrated. Survey area FL131 version 25, established 2025-08-27.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

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 — 423,785 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Slow water movement — 375,673 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Seepage, bottom layer — 322,349 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Filtering capacity — 232,288 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Flooding — 124,308 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Ponding — 99,435 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Slope — 62,013 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Subsidence — 39,607 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.

• 17 — Lakeland sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 142,200 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Lakeland (80% of the map unit).
• 100 — Waters of the Gulf of America — 51,570 acres in this county — rated Not rated. Dominant component: Waters of the Gulf of America (100% of the map unit).
• 8 — Dorovan-Pamlico association, frequently flooded — 41,510 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Dorovan (60% of the map unit).
• 15 — Kinston-Johnston-Bibb complex, frequently flooded — 38,970 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Kinston (30% of the map unit).
• 31 — Troup sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 38,680 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Troup (80% of the map unit).
• 13 — Fuquay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 28,420 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Fuquay (80% of the map unit).
• 27 — Rutlege fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes — 22,610 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Rutlege (92% of the map unit).
• 2 — Bonifay loamy sand, 0 to 5 percent slopes — 21,030 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Bonifay (80% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

Sources

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

1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting · checked 2026-09-23
2. Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program Staff Directory · checked 2026-09-23
3. Walton County Land Development Code, Chapter 4, §4.02.03(E), Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone · checked 2026-09-24
4. Walton County Comprehensive Plan, Coastal Management Element, Policy CM-1.1.6 · checked 2026-09-24
5. Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030, Fees · checked 2026-09-23
6. Walton County Building Department — DEP Septic System Approval Disclosure Statement · checked 2026-09-24
7. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

Related pages

• Septic rules and requirements in Walton County, Florida
• Septic permits and fees in Walton County, Florida
• Septic rules and requirements in Florida
• Septic rules in Walton County