Septic permits and fees in Davidson County, North Carolina
A septic system permit in Davidson County costs $350. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. 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. Davidson County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
$350
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
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 Davidson County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the soil and site conditions on the lot before the county issues a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
Davidson County, NC — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Davidson County?
$350 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee 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
What state law fixes for every North Carolina system
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1,000 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a dwelling of four bedrooms or fewer.
The floor under 15A NCAC 18E .0801(a)(2). Table XIV sets a larger tank for a five-bedroom dwelling. The capacity doubles when a grinder or lift pump sits ahead of the tank. A state value for every North Carolina county.
15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements, Table XIV · 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
Table IX of .0601: any property line, measured on the ground from the nearest part of the system. A state value for every North Carolina county.
15A NCAC 18E .0601, Location of Wastewater Systems, Table IX · checked 2026-09-23
What Davidson County requires that the state does not
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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
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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
Where do you file the application with the county environmental health office?
The county environmental health office, 915 N. Greensboro St., Lexington, NC 27292, 336-242-2310.
Davidson County, NC — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Prepare the lot. Stake and flag every property corner, and flag the property lines every 50 feet.
- Stake and flag the corners of the house or other structure. Make each stake 30 inches high, in bright paint or ribbon.
- Clear the site of underbrush, tall grass, and fallen branches, so a specialist can reach it.
- You can apply online through the county's OpenGov portal. You can also print the application and submit it in person.
- Submit a site plan or plat with the application. The county returns an incomplete site plan for correction.
- An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the soil and site conditions on the lot.
- Keep the site ready for the visit. The county charges a revisit fee for a site that is not ready.
- Davidson County issues two permits: an Improvement Permit for the site and soil evaluation, and a Construction Authorization for the system layout.
Davidson County Health Department — Onsite Wastewater Application · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Davidson County?
Ask the county environmental health office for the permit record for the property. Call 336-242-2310 or start at its website.
Davidson County, NC — Staff Directory, Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- 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.