Septic permits and fees in Johnston County, North Carolina

Which septic permit applies in Johnston County?

The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. An Environmental Health Specialist evaluates the site and the soil. The permit is issued or denied on that evaluation. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.

North Carolina evaluates the soil and the site. It does not run a percolation test. Before the visit, stake the area to be evaluated and the structure. If the lot passes, a survey and a plat may be required before the permit is filed.

Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23

What are the current septic fees in Johnston County?

$600 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.

Applies to systems with a design flow of 480 gallons a day or less, the schedule's smaller tier.

In effect from July 1, 2026.

Johnston County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23

What state law fixes for every North Carolina system

• 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

• 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

• 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 Johnston County requires that the state does not

• Bring a document from the planning and zoning office first. Without it, the county will not take a septic permit application.

  This is the county's own rule. The state rule, 15A NCAC 18E .0202(h)(8)(C), asks only whether other public offices must approve the lot. Johnston County wants the zoning paper itself before it takes the application.

  Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23

Where do you file the application with Johnston County Environmental Health Department?

Johnston County Environmental Health Department, 309 E. Market Street, Smithfield, NC 27577, 919-989-5180.

Open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except holidays. Specialists are in the office from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m.

Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23

The steps, in the county's order

1. Submit an Application for Service with a document from the planning and zoning office. Include a site plan showing the property, the road number, the driveway and the buildings. Mark the setbacks from the right-of-way and one other property line.
2. Pay the fee. The county then assigns an Environmental Health Specialist, who calls you to schedule the evaluation.
3. Before the visit, stake the area to be evaluated. Stake the location of the house, mobile home or other structure.
4. The Specialist evaluates the property. If it is suitable, you survey it and submit a plat with the plat fee for final review. If no survey is required, the county files the permit.
5. The county releases the permit when it has the zoning permit and any other fees. With both permits in hand, apply for building permits at Building Inspections.
6. After the septic system is installed and checked, the Specialist issues a water and sewer authorization. A new well must pass its own check and a water test first. The county sends the paper to Building Inspections for the final check and permanent power. If the Specialist takes the water sample, results take about a week. A private certified lab may collect it instead.

Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23

How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Johnston County?

Ask Johnston County Environmental Health Department for the permit record for the property. Call 919-989-5180 or start at its website.

Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23

Sources

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

1. Johnston County Environmental Health — On-Site Wastewater (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-23
2. Johnston County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
3. 15A NCAC 18E .0801, Septic Tank Capacity Requirements · checked 2026-09-23
4. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-11

Related pages

• Septic rules and requirements in Johnston County, North Carolina
• Soil and perc tests in Johnston County, North Carolina
• Septic rules and requirements in North Carolina
• Septic rules in Johnston County