Septic rules and requirements in Forsyth County, North Carolina
Septic permits in Forsyth County are issued by the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health. A new system permit costs $204. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 57.3% of the rated acres. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health
Issues the permit
checked 2026-10-06
$204
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-06
Very limited
USDA rating, 57.3% of rated acres
checked 2026-10-06
Who issues septic permits in Forsyth County?
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, at 799 North Highland Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, 336-703-3225. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
What does a septic permit cost in Forsyth County?
$204 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a home of three to six bedrooms. The fee is for each lot.
In effect from September 1, 2020.
| Soil Site Application: any 3,4,5 or 6 BR house | $204 | a home with a system for 3 to 6 bedrooms, per lot |
|---|---|---|
| 480-1500 gpd (business or church) | $432 | a system of 480 to 1,500 gallons a day |
| 1500-3000 gpd | $654 | a system of 1,500 to 3,000 gallons a day |
| >3000 gpd | $2,306 | a system of more than 2,999 gallons a day the source lists as more than 3000 gpd |
| Site Revisit | $56 | a system the source lists as site revisit |
| Redraw IP/CA | $38 | a system the source lists as redraw of improvement permit or construction authorization |
| LPP (low pressure pipe) System | $320 | a low pressure pipe system |
| T & J Panel New | $308 | a system the source lists as T & J panel, new |
| Construction Authorization | $234 | a system the source lists as construction authorization |
| Repair evaluation/permit | $204 | a system the source lists as repair evaluation and permit |
| Pump installation (new only) | $62 | a system the source lists as pump installation, new only |
| Mobile Home Conn. In Existing Park | $117 | any system |
This is the soil and site application fee. It is the first step for a new septic system.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
Is the soil in Forsyth County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 57.3% 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 2026-10-06
What Forsyth County inspects, and how often
Every 5 years for a system with a single pump.
The county follows the state schedule. Other system types are checked more often.
A certified operator
Guilford County — On-site Wastewater · checked 2026-09-23
What Forsyth County sets itself
The state writes the code. Forsyth County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the North Carolina requirements.
-
$204
Applies to a repair of a failing system.
The state sets no fee for this step.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
-
$56
Applies to a site that is not marked when the specialist arrives.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Soil/Site Application · checked 2026-10-06
-
$38
Applies to a redraw of an improvement permit or a construction authorization.
The state sets no fee for this step.
Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
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.
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Septic General Information
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Soil/Site Application
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, New Construction
- Guilford County — On-site Wastewater
- Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Septic System Owner's Guide
- NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch
- 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 Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health, on 336-703-3225.