Septic permits and fees in Catawba County, North Carolina
A septic system permit in Catawba County costs $300. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Catawba County Environmental Health issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 1,000 gallons. A private well needs 50 feet from the whole system, a property line 10 feet. Catawba County Fiscal Year 2026/27 Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-05
$300
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-05
1,000 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
50 feet
System to a well
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Catawba County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
North Carolina evaluates the soil and the site. It does not use a percolation test.
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Catawba County?
$300 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee 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
What state law fixes for every North Carolina system
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1,000 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a dwelling with four bedrooms or fewer. A five-bedroom home needs 1,250 gallons.
The state sets this floor for every septic tank in North Carolina.
NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch · checked 2026-09-23
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50 feet from a private drinking-water well to any part of the system
Applies to a private well, or an upslope spring, that serves one home.
Table IX of .0601, measured on the ground from the nearest part of the system. A community or shared well carries a larger setback in the same table. A state value for every North Carolina county.
15A NCAC 18E .0601, Location of Wastewater Systems, Table IX · checked 2026-09-23
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10 feet from any property line
Applies to any property line.
NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch · checked 2026-09-23
What Catawba County requires that the state does not
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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
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75
Applies to a re-trip or re-design for a permit.
The county does not refund this fee once a visit is made.
Catawba County Fiscal Year 2026/27 Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-05
Where do you file the application with Catawba County Environmental Health?
Catawba County Environmental Health, PO Box 389, Newton, NC 28658, (828) 465-8270.
Catawba County Environmental Health: Septic Systems · checked 2026-10-05
The steps, in the county's order
- Apply in the ePermits system with the permit fee and all required papers
- Get zoning approval
- Prepare the lot by staking and stringing the property lines and the planned structures, then call the Environmental Health Specialist
- Dig the holes at the flags, then the specialist returns to evaluate the soil
Catawba County Environmental Health: Septic Systems · checked 2026-10-05
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Catawba County?
Ask Catawba County Environmental Health for the permit record for the property. Call (828) 465-8270 or start at its website.
Catawba County Environmental Health · checked 2026-10-05
Request a copy of an existing septic permit on the county Environmental Health page
Catawba County Environmental Health: Septic Systems · checked 2026-10-05
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- 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.