Soil and perc tests in Davidson County, North Carolina

USDA rates most of the soil in Davidson County Very limited for septic absorption fields — 63.8% of the rated acres. An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the soil and site conditions on the lot before the county issues a permit. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-12

Very limited

USDA rating, 63.8% of rated acres

checked 2026-09-12

Slow water movement

Most common limiting reason

checked 2026-09-12

Yes

Site evaluation required

checked 2026-09-23

What is a perc test and does Davidson County require one?

Yes. An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the soil and site conditions on the lot before the county issues a permit.

Davidson County, NC — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23

How USDA rates the ground in Davidson County

Very limited across most of the county — 63.8% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

Very limited — 205,970 acres — 63.8% of 323,083 rated acres.
Somewhat limited — 117,113 acres — 36.2% of 323,083 rated acres.
Not rated — 13,361 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

63.8% of 323,083 rated acres. 13,361 acres unrated. Survey area NC057 version 27, established 2025-09-02.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-12

What limits absorption here

The reasons USDA gives for the rating, by the acres they affect. A component can carry several, so the acres overlap.

Slow water movement — 297,042 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Slope — 135,175 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Depth to bedrock — 100,957 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Seepage, bottom layer — 53,830 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Depth to saturated zone — 49,316 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Flooding — 29,363 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Large stones — 1,149 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
Filtering capacity — 11 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.

Ratings by soil map unit

The largest map units in the county, each with its rating. A soil survey names the ground. The county's evaluation of your lot is what a permit turns on.

CcB — Cecil sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 24,126 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Cecil (95% of the map unit).
BaB — Badin channery silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 22,975 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Badin (90% of the map unit).
ChA — Chewacla loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded — 20,186 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Chewacla (90% of the map unit).
PaD — Pacolet sandy loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes — 20,133 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
GeB — Georgeville silt loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 17,690 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Georgeville (85% of the map unit).
PaE — Pacolet sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes — 15,431 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
EnB — Enon fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 percent slopes — 15,386 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Enon (85% of the map unit).
PnE — Poindexter-Wynott complex, 15 to 25 percent slopes — 15,163 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Poindexter (60% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-12

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

Davidson County, NC — Staff Directory, Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-23
Davidson County, NC — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
Davidson County Subdivision Regulations, § 8.11.03(a) · checked 2026-09-23
Davidson County Health Department — Onsite Wastewater Application · checked 2026-09-23
Davidson County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements, Table XIV · checked 2026-09-23
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-12

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.