Septic rules and requirements in Brunswick County, North Carolina
Septic permits in Brunswick County are issued by the Brunswick County Environmental Health. A new system permit costs $515. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 94.7% of the rated acres. Brunswick County Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-24
Brunswick County Environmental Health
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-24
$515
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-24
Very limited
USDA rating, 94.7% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-24
Who issues septic permits in Brunswick County?
Brunswick County Environmental Health, at 25 Courthouse Drive, Building A, Bolivia, NC 28422, 910-253-2150. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
Brunswick County Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-24
What does a septic permit cost in Brunswick County?
$515 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to an improvement permit for a system of 500 gallons a day or less.
In effect from July 1, 2026.
| 500 gallons per day or less | $515 | a system of up to 500 gallons a day the source lists as Improvement Permit Application |
|---|---|---|
| 501-1000 gallons per day | $615 | a system of 501 to 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as Improvement Permit Application |
| For each additional 500 gpd greater than initial fee | $100 | a system, per each additional 500 gallons per day above the initial tier the source lists as Improvement Permit Application |
| LSS Improvement Permit pursuant §130A-335(a2) | $350 | a licensed soil scientist improvement permit system the source lists as Improvement Permit Application |
| 500 gallons per day or less | $300 | a system of up to 500 gallons a day the source lists as Construction Authorization Permit Application |
| 501-1000 gallons per day | $400 | a system of 501 to 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as Construction Authorization Permit Application |
| For each additional 500 gallons per day greater than initial fee | $100 | a system, per each additional 500 gallons per day above the initial tier the source lists as Construction Authorization Permit Application |
| Plan review for systems with a design flow <1000 gpd | $50 | a system of up to 1,000 gallons a day |
| Plan review for systems with a design flow >1000 gpd | $125 | a system of more than 999 gallons a day |
| Administrative Fee for NOI and ATO submittal pursuant §130A-336.1 and §130A-336.2 | $35 | a system the source lists as Notice of Intent and Authorization to Operate submittal |
| Revisions *(Plus the Construction Authorization fee listed) | $175 | a system the source lists as plus the Construction Authorization fee listed |
| Relocation/existing system check (no upgrade) | $300 | a existing system, no upgrade system |
| IP/CA/OP for 1-bedroom single family residence utilizing an existing system | $300 | a existing system for 1 to 1 bedrooms |
| Septic Repair | $300 | a repair of an existing system |
| Mobile Home Park Authorization/Connection | $50 | any system |
| Septic System Tap Connection | $75 | any system |
| Mobile Home Parks/Campgrounds Annual Inspection | $150 | any system |
| Management Entity Inspection (Gravity distribution sand line trenches are fee exempt) | $100 | a system the source lists as assessed to a new wastewater system, or an existing wastewater system with a change in ownership, effective July 1, 2009; gravity distribution sand line trenches are exempt |
| Revisit Fee: Site not ready/pool permit denial or any other revisit | $75 | any system |
The county sets this fee.
Brunswick County Environmental Health Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2026-2027 · checked 2026-09-24
Is the soil in Brunswick County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 94.7% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24
What Brunswick County sets itself
The state writes the code. Brunswick County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the North Carolina requirements.
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A well permit application must be submitted at the same time as the septic permit application
Applies to a septic permit applied for on or after July 1, 2008.
Brunswick County — Check List for Septic/Well Permit · checked 2026-09-24
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$75
Applies to a site that is not ready, or any other return visit.
Brunswick County Environmental Health Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2026-2027 · checked 2026-09-24
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$350
Applies to a Licensed Soil Scientist Improvement Permit under state law section 130A-335(a2).
Brunswick County Environmental Health Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2026-2027 · checked 2026-09-24
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.
- Brunswick County Environmental Health
- Brunswick County — Check List for Septic/Well Permit
- Brunswick County Environmental Health Fee Schedule, Fiscal Year 2026-2027
- N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection
- Brunswick County — On-Site Wastewater Permitting Options
- Guilford County — On-site Wastewater
- 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 Brunswick County Environmental Health, on 910-253-2150.