Septic rules and requirements in Davidson County, North Carolina
Septic permits in Davidson County are issued by the county environmental health office. A new system permit costs $350. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 63.8% of the rated acres. Davidson County, NC — Staff Directory, Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-23
$350
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
Very limited
USDA rating, 63.8% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-12
Who issues septic permits in Davidson County?
The county environmental health office, at 915 N. Greensboro St., Lexington, NC 27292, 336-242-2310. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
Davidson County, NC — Staff Directory, Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-23
What does a septic permit cost in Davidson County?
$350 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a system with a design flow of 100 to 600 gallons a day. It also covers a home of five bedrooms or fewer. It is the smallest Improvement Permit tier.
In effect from July 1, 2025.
| IP Improvement Permit (100 GPD-600 GPD) | $350 | a system of 100 to 600 gallons a day for 1 to 5 bedrooms |
|---|---|---|
| IP Improvement Permit (601 GPD-1500 GPD) | $500 | a system of 601 to 1,500 gallons a day for 6 to 12 bedrooms |
| IP Improvement Permit (>1500 GPD) | $800 | a system the source lists as >1500 GPD or >12 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (100 GPD-600 GPD) Filed Together | $550 | a system of 100 to 600 gallons a day for 1 to 5 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (601 GPD-1500 GPD) Filed Together | $730 | a system of 601 to 1,500 gallons a day for 6 to 12 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (>1500 GPD) Filed Together | $1,060 | a system the source lists as >1500 GPD or >12 bedrooms |
| IP Improvement Permit (100 GPD-600 GPD) | $140 | a system of 100 to 600 gallons a day for 1 to 5 bedrooms |
| IP Improvement Permit (601 GPD-1500 GPD) | $200 | a system of 601 to 1,500 gallons a day for 6 to 12 bedrooms |
| IP Improvement Permit (>1500 GPD) | $320 | a system the source lists as >1500 GPD or >12 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (100 GPD-600 GPD) Filed Together | $220 | a system of 100 to 600 gallons a day for 1 to 5 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (601 GPD-1500 GPD) Filed Together | $290 | a system of 601 to 1,500 gallons a day for 6 to 12 bedrooms |
| IPCA Improvement Permit/Construction Authorization (>1500 GPD) Filed Together | $420 | a system the source lists as >1500 GPD or >12 bedrooms |
A larger system pays more under the same Improvement Permit tier. Davidson County charges a separate fee for a Construction Authorization, or a combined fee when it issues both permits together. A septic repair permit is free. The fee drops when a private evaluator completes the evaluation. The county sets these fees, not the state. Effective July 1, 2025.
Davidson County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
Is the soil in Davidson County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 63.8% 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 2026-09-12
What Davidson County sets itself
The state writes the code. Davidson County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the North Carolina requirements.
-
A lot in a protected watershed needs at least 40,000 square feet for a septic system.
Applies to a lot in the watershed of a Class III or Class IV reservoir. It also applies upstream of an intake on a Class IV stream.
The state sets no such rule.
Davidson County Subdivision Regulations, § 8.11.03(a) · checked 2026-09-23
-
$50
Applies to the first visit to a site that is not ready. The second visit is $100. The third visit and every later one is $200.
The county charges this fee when a site is not ready for a scheduled visit. This applies to an evaluation, an inspection, or a pump check. In effect since 2024. The state sets no such fee.
Davidson County Health Department — Onsite Wastewater Application · checked 2026-09-23
-
$350
Applies to a system with a design flow of 100 to 600 gallons a day. It also covers a home of five bedrooms or fewer. It is the smallest Improvement Permit tier.
A larger system pays more under the same Improvement Permit tier. Davidson County charges a separate fee for a Construction Authorization, or a combined fee when it issues both permits together. A septic repair permit is free. The fee drops when a private evaluator completes the evaluation. The county sets these fees, not the state. Effective July 1, 2025.
Davidson County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
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.
- Davidson County, NC — Staff Directory, Environmental Health
- Davidson County, NC — On-Site Water Protection
- Davidson County Subdivision Regulations, § 8.11.03(a)
- Davidson County Health Department — Onsite Wastewater Application
- Davidson County Environmental Health Fee Schedule
- 15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements, Table XIV
- 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 county environmental health office, on 336-242-2310.