Septic rules and requirements in Catawba County, North Carolina
Septic permits in Catawba County are issued by the Catawba County Environmental Health. A new system permit costs $300. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 53.6% of the rated acres. Catawba County Environmental Health · checked 2026-10-05
Catawba County Environmental Health
Issues the permit
checked 2026-10-05
$300
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-05
Very limited
USDA rating, 53.6% of rated acres
checked 2026-10-05
Who issues septic permits in Catawba County?
Catawba County Environmental Health, at PO Box 389, Newton, NC 28658, (828) 465-8270. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
The office is part of Catawba County Public Health.
Catawba County Environmental Health · checked 2026-10-05
What does a septic permit cost in Catawba County?
$300 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a system of 360 gallons a day or less, new or repair.
In effect from July 1, 2026.
| Site/Soil Evaluation | $150 | a system the source lists as Improvement Permit |
|---|---|---|
| (a2) Improvement Permit | $150 | any system |
| Any system, 360 gallons per day and less | $300 | a system of up to 360 gallons a day the source lists as Authorization to Construct (New, Repair, Expansion, Relocation – includes Improvement Permit fee) |
| Any system, 361-600 gallons per day | $450 | a system of 361 to 600 gallons a day the source lists as Authorization to Construct (New, Repair, Expansion, Relocation – includes Improvement Permit fee) |
| Any system, 601-1,000 gallons per day | $650 | a system of 601 to 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as Authorization to Construct (New, Repair, Expansion, Relocation – includes Improvement Permit fee) |
| Any system, 1,001 gallons per day and above | $900 | a system of more than 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as Authorization to Construct (New, Repair, Expansion, Relocation – includes Improvement Permit fee) |
| Septic Tank Only | $150 | a septic tank only system the source lists as Authorization to Construct (New, Repair, Expansion, Relocation – includes Improvement Permit fee) |
| Any system, 360 gallons per day and less | $60 | a system of up to 360 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Authorization to Construct |
| Any system, 361-600 gallons per day | $120 | a system of 361 to 600 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Authorization to Construct |
| Any system, 601-1,000 gallons per day | $200 | a system of 601 to 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Authorization to Construct |
| Any system, 1,001 gallons per day and above | $300 | a system of more than 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Authorization to Construct |
| Septic Tank Only | $60 | a septic tank only system the source lists as (a2) Authorization to Construct |
| Any system, 360 gallons per day and less | $120 | a system of up to 360 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Improvement Permit + (a2) Authorization to Construct (applied for together) |
| Any system, 361-600 gallons per day | $180 | a system of 361 to 600 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Improvement Permit + (a2) Authorization to Construct (applied for together) |
| Any system, 601-1,000 gallons per day | $260 | a system of 601 to 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Improvement Permit + (a2) Authorization to Construct (applied for together) |
| Any system, 1,001 gallons per day and above | $360 | a system of more than 1,000 gallons a day the source lists as (a2) Improvement Permit + (a2) Authorization to Construct (applied for together) |
| Engineered Option Permit | $35 | any system |
| Authorized Onsite Wastewater Evaluator | $35 | any system |
| Existing Systems Inspection (on-site inspection) | $80 | any system |
| Type IIIB Pump Systems (inspections required every 5 years) | $94 | a type iiib pump system |
| Type IV Systems (inspections required every 3 years) | $150 | a type iv system |
| Type V Systems (inspections required every year) | $175 | a type v system |
| Type VI Systems (inspections required twice per year) | $175 | a type vi system |
| Additional trips to complete inspection or re-inspect | $100 | any system |
| Any site visit not listed above (Re-trip/re-design) | $75 | a system the source lists as re-trip or re-design for Improvement permit, Authorization to Construct, Well Permit, and/or Well Variance |
The fee includes the Improvement Permit fee. Larger systems pay more.
Catawba County Fiscal Year 2026/27 Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-05
Is the soil in Catawba County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 53.6% 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 2026-10-05
What Catawba County sets itself
The state writes the code. Catawba County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the North Carolina requirements.
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The county needs zoning approval before it processes a septic application
The state rules do not set this step.
Catawba County Environmental Health: Septic Systems · checked 2026-10-05
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Lot corners must be true corners, marked in the field, before an evaluation
The county does not evaluate a lot that is not ready.
Catawba County Environmental Health: Application, Evaluation, and Permitting Procedures · checked 2026-10-05
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Soil test pits must be at least 40 inches deep, 4 feet long and 2 feet wide
The pit must have sloped or stepped access.
Catawba County Environmental Health: Application, Evaluation, and Permitting Procedures · checked 2026-10-05
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.
- Catawba County Environmental Health
- Catawba County Environmental Health — Staff Contacts
- Catawba County Environmental Health: Septic Systems
- Catawba County Environmental Health: Application, Evaluation, and Permitting Procedures
- Catawba County Fiscal Year 2026/27 Fee Schedule
- N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection
- 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 Catawba County Environmental Health, on (828) 465-8270.