Septic permit rules and requirements in Maryland
In Maryland, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your local approving authority. For some systems the state issues it itself. The code is COMAR 26.04.02. Code of Maryland Regulations 26.04.02.01 — Definitions · checked 2026-09-12
Your local approving authority
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-12
COMAR 26.04.02
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who decides a septic permit in Maryland
Your local approving authority issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor.
The rule lets the state or a local office it names issue the permit.
Code of Maryland Regulations 26.04.02.01 — Definitions · checked 2026-09-12
The office's phone number is 410-537-3778.
This is the phone number for the On-Site Systems Division, as the page lists it. The page gives no separate line for septic permits alone.
Maryland Department of the Environment — On-Site Systems Division · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Maryland Department of the Environment — On-Site Systems Division.
MDE's own page names a stale canonical link that does not load. This working address is the page to cite.
Maryland Department of the Environment — On-Site Systems Division · checked 2026-09-23
The floor state law sets
The rules that govern every septic system in Maryland are COMAR 26.04.02 — Sewage Disposal and Certain Water Systems for Homes and Other Establishments in the Counties of Maryland Where a Public Sewage System Is Not Available. Every local permit is issued under them.
The chapter sets the state rule for septic systems and private water systems. Section .03 covers the permit, and section .01 defines its terms.
Code of Maryland Regulations, Title 26, Subtitle 04, Chapter 02 · checked 2026-09-23
Maryland counties on this site
We have not published a Maryland county page yet. A county earns a page when we hold facts unique to it. Until then this page is the answer for every county in the state.
Telling us your county is how we decide which one to build next.
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your local approving authority before you spend money on it.