Septic rules and requirements in Wake County, North Carolina
Septic permits in Wake County are issued by the Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division. A new system permit costs $800. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 64.6% of the rated acres. Wake County Government — Onsite Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-23
$800
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
Very limited
USDA rating, 64.6% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-23
Who issues septic permits in Wake County?
Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division, 919-856-5700. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
The division enforces state and county rules. It issues permits. It inspects systems and answers complaints.
The office answers Monday to Friday. Office hours run 8:15 to 5:15. Phone hours run 8 to 5.
Wake County Government — Onsite Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
What does a septic permit cost in Wake County?
$800 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a new individual onsite wastewater system for a home, the improvement permit plus the construction authorization.
| Improvement Permit (limit to less than 3 acres per evaluation) | $400 | a home with a new development individual on-site wastewater system |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Authorization (includes Operation Permit) | $400 | a home with a new development individual on-site wastewater system |
| Total | $800 | a home with a new development individual on-site wastewater system the source lists as improvement permit plus construction authorization |
| Manufactured/Mobile Home Relocation (Construction Authorization Only) | $400 | a manufactured/mobile home relocation system |
| Improvement Permit (limit to less than 3 acres per evaluation) | $400 | a system the source lists as Manufactured/Mobile Home Relocation-Modifications needed/change in design flow |
| Construction Authorization (includes Operation Permit) | $400 | a system the source lists as Manufactured/Mobile Home Relocation-Modifications needed/change in design flow |
| Total | $800 | a system the source lists as Manufactured/Mobile Home Relocation-Modifications needed/change in design flow |
| Verifications for Change of Use or System Reuse (Existing Onsite Wastewater systems only. No change to flow or lot size) | $400 | any system |
| CA renewal only | $400 | a system the source lists as Renew Septic Permit (expired after 5 years) |
| IP and CA Renewal | $800 | a system the source lists as Renew Septic Permit (expired after 5 years) |
| Design Review Fee for Residential Permits | $110 | a home with a system |
| Re-Inspection Fee (Penalty for unnecessary return trips on Lot Evaluations and Failed Installation Inspections ) | $200 | any system |
| Field Consultation | $100 | any system |
| Improvement Permit | $400 | a business with a system of up to 720 gallons a day the source lists as Domestic Strength Wastewater Systems (≤ 720 gallons/day design flow) (Excluding Industrial Process Wastewater) |
| Construction Authorization | $400 | a business with a system of up to 720 gallons a day the source lists as Domestic Strength Wastewater Systems (≤ 720 gallons/day design flow) (Excluding Industrial Process Wastewater) |
| Design Review Fee | $110 | a business with a system of up to 720 gallons a day |
| Total | $910 | a business with a system of up to 720 gallons a day |
| Improvement Permit | $400 | a business with a system of 720 to 3,000 gallons a day the source lists as Domestic Strength Wastewater Systems (>720 and ≤ 3,000 gallons/day design flow) / Industrial Process Wastewater (≤ 3,000gallons/day design flow) |
| Construction Authorization | $400 | a business with a system of 720 to 3,000 gallons a day |
| Design Review Fee | $460 | a business with a system of 720 to 3,000 gallons a day |
| Total | $1,260 | a business with a system of 720 to 3,000 gallons a day |
| Improvement Permit (per connection) | $400 | a business with a system of more than 2,999 gallons a day, per connection the source lists as Domestic Strength Wastewater Systems (> 3,000 gallons/day design flow) / Industrial Process Wastewater (> 3,000gallons/day design flow), billed per connection (360 gallons/day design flow = 1 connection) |
| Construction Authorization (per connection) | $400 | a business with a system of more than 2,999 gallons a day, per connection |
| Design Review Fee (Variable based on # of connections) | $110 | a business with a system of more than 2,999 gallons a day, per connection |
| Connection =360 gallons per day design wastewater flow | $19 | a lpp or alternative systems (o & m inspections), type v and type vi system, per connection the source lists as LPP or Alternative Systems (O & M Inspections) (Type V and Type VI Systems – per connection) |
Wake County charges an improvement permit and a construction authorization together for a new septic system. It also has a separate table for large commercial systems.
Wake County Government — Wastewater Fees · checked 2026-09-23
Is the soil in Wake County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 64.6% 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 2026-09-23
Does Wake County inspect a septic system when a house is sold?
No. The county does not offer a home sale inspection.
Wake County Government — Septic System Permitting FAQs · checked 2026-09-23
What Wake County sets itself
The state writes the code. Wake County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the North Carolina requirements.
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$800
Applies to a new individual onsite wastewater system for a home, the improvement permit plus the construction authorization.
Wake County charges an improvement permit and a construction authorization together for a new septic system. It also has a separate table for large commercial systems.
Wake County Government — Wastewater Fees · checked 2026-09-23
-
$200
Applies to a site visit the county must schedule to resolve a plan conflict.
Wake County Government — Septic System Permitting FAQs · checked 2026-09-23
-
60 days
Applies to a conditional permit for a pump system.
The structure must pass its electrical check first.
Wake County Government — Septic System Permitting FAQs · checked 2026-09-23
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.
- Wake County Government — Onsite Water Protection
- Wake County Government — Wastewater Fees
- Wake County Government — Septic System Permitting FAQs
- N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection
- Wake County Government — Finding an Existing Wastewater Permit
- 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 Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division, on 919-856-5700.