Septic permits and fees in Wake County, North Carolina
A septic system permit in Wake County costs $800. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division issues the permit. 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. Wake County Government — Wastewater Fees · checked 2026-09-23
$800
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 Wake County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The county investigates the site instead. It looks at slope, landscape and soil layers before it decides.
N.C. Department of Health and Human Services — On-Site Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Wake County?
$800 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee 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
What state law fixes for every North Carolina system
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1,000 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a dwelling with four bedrooms or fewer. A five-bedroom home needs 1,250 gallons.
The state sets this floor for every septic tank in North Carolina.
NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch · 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. A community or shared well carries 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
Applies to any property line.
NC Division of Public Health, On-Site Water Protection Branch · checked 2026-09-23
What Wake County requires that the state does not
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110
Applies to a home septic permit.
A commercial system pays a different fee. So does a per-connection system.
Wake County Government — Wastewater Fees · checked 2026-09-23
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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
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60
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
Where do you file the application with Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division?
Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division, 919-856-5700.
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
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Wake County?
Ask Wake County Onsite Water Protection Division for the permit record for the property. Call 919-856-5700 or start at its website.
Wake County Government — Onsite Water Protection · checked 2026-09-23
The Permit Portal and iMaps. A reader can submit a research request if neither shows the permit.
Wake County Government — Finding an Existing Wastewater Permit · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- 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.