Soil and perc tests in Forsyth County, North Carolina

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

Yes. A soil and site evaluation is the first step. It shows whether a lot can support a septic system.

Forsyth County Department of Public Health, New Construction · checked 2026-10-06

How USDA rates the ground in Forsyth County

Very limited across most of the county — 57.3% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

• Very limited — 130,336 acres — 57.3% of 227,609 rated acres.
• Somewhat limited — 97,273 acres — 42.7% of 227,609 rated acres.
• Not rated — 9,678 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

57.3% of 227,609 rated acres. 9,678 acres unrated. Survey area NC067 version 28, established 2026-08-28.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-06

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 — 210,613 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Slope — 83,753 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Seepage, bottom layer — 59,637 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Flooding — 25,933 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Depth to saturated zone — 25,923 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Depth to bedrock — 23,143 acres. Reasons overlap — a component can carry several — so these acres exceed rated acres.
• Filtering capacity — 319 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.

• ClB — Clifford sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes — 20,936 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Clifford (90% of the map unit).
• FaC — Fairview fine sandy loam, 6 to 10 percent slopes — 18,732 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Fairview (80% of the map unit).
• FaF — Fairview fine sandy loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes — 15,967 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Fairview (85% of the map unit).
• CoA — Codorus loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded — 15,956 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Codorus (85% of the map unit).
• PcF2 — Pacolet clay loam, 15 to 45 percent slopes, moderately eroded — 11,006 acres in this county — rated Very limited. Dominant component: Pacolet (85% of the map unit).
• FaD — Fairview fine sandy loam, 10 to 15 percent slopes — 10,261 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Fairview (90% of the map unit).
• FaB — Fairview fine sandy loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes — 8,919 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Fairview (85% of the map unit).
• FfC — Fairview-Urban land complex, 2 to 10 percent slopes — 8,869 acres in this county — rated Somewhat limited. Dominant component: Fairview (50% of the map unit).

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-06

Sources

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

1. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Fee Schedule 2020-2021 · checked 2026-10-06
2. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Septic General Information · checked 2026-10-06
3. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Soil/Site Application · checked 2026-10-06
4. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, New Construction · checked 2026-10-06
5. Guilford County — On-site Wastewater · checked 2026-09-23
6. Forsyth County Department of Public Health, Septic System Owner's Guide · checked 2026-10-06
7. NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch · checked 2026-09-23
8. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-06

Related pages

• Septic rules and requirements in Forsyth County, North Carolina
• Septic permits and fees in Forsyth County, North Carolina
• Septic rules and requirements in North Carolina
• Septic rules in Forsyth County