Septic permits and fees in Iredell County, North Carolina
A septic system permit in Iredell County costs $500. 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. Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · checked 2026-09-23
$500
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 Iredell County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. The county calls the site and soil evaluation a perc test. An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the lot from backhoe pits. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The lot must be cleared of heavy undergrowth, with the footprint of the house staked. Property corners must be marked by a licensed surveyor. A first visit checks that the lot is ready. Then the evaluation is scheduled.
Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Iredell County?
$500 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a gravity septic system, the lower of the two tiers.
| Gravity septic permit fee | $500 | a gravity system |
|---|---|---|
| Pump septic permit fee | $1,200 | a pump system |
The gravity fee is paid up front. For a pump system, the balance is due before the county releases the permit. A county zoning fee is charged with it. If the lot is not ready at the first site visit, the county charges a re-visit fee. The county sets these fees, not the state.
Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · 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 .0801(a)(1), which applies in every North Carolina county. Table XIV covers dwellings of up to five bedrooms. The floor holds through four bedrooms, with a larger tank at five. The capacity doubles when a grinder or lift pump sits ahead of the tank. The codified rule was amended on June 1, 2026 and Table XIV is unchanged.
15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements · 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. Community and shared wells carry 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 Iredell County requires that the state does not
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The county requires backhoe pits for every soil evaluation. Dig them only after the Specialist has scheduled the visit.
This is the county's own rule. It lets the county require pits when it finds them necessary. Iredell County requires them every time. Your backhoe operator must be on site during the evaluation.
Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · checked 2026-09-23
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77.25
Applies to every septic permit application. The county collects it as a zoning fee.
A county zoning fee charged with the septic permit fee. The state rules set no such fee.
Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with the county environmental health office?
The county environmental health office, 349 N Center St, Statesville, NC 28677, 704-878-5305.
The Statesville office. Both open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Iredell County — Onsite Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Prepare the lot. Clear heavy undergrowth, stake the house footprint and the drainfield area, and mark the property lines.
- Register on the county's Citizen Self Service portal. Apply under Environmental Health OSWP, Septic Permit.
- Pay the fees when the portal tells you the application has been reviewed.
- A first site visit checks that the lot is ready. A lot that is not ready is charged a re-visit fee.
- A Specialist schedules the backhoe pits and evaluates the site and the soil. When the permit is issued, the portal tells you, and you can view it online.
Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Iredell County?
Ask the county environmental health office for the permit record for the property. Call 704-878-5305 or start at its website.
Iredell County — Environmental Health · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Iredell County — Environmental Health
- Iredell County — Onsite Water Protection
- Iredell County Health Department — How to Apply for a Septic Improvement Permit
- 15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements
- USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO)
- Iredell County Health Department — Environmental Health Approved Fees 2025-2026
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 704-878-5305.