Septic permits and fees in Bastrop County, Texas
A septic system permit in Bastrop County costs $600. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Bastrop County Development Services issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 750 gallons. A private well needs 100 feet from the drainfield, a property line 5 feet. Bastrop County Development Services — OSSF Application and Application Fees (rev. 2024-06-20) · checked 2026-10-05
$600
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-05
750 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
100 feet
Drainfield to a well
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Bastrop County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. Texas requires a site evaluation before it issues a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
A site evaluator or an engineer checks the soil in two pits or borings. The evaluator also checks for shallow groundwater and reviews slope and flood risk. The county uses this report to set the system's size.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Bastrop County?
$600 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a standard home system.
| Standard Residential | $600 | a home with a standard system |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Commercial | $1,000 | a business with a standard system |
| Non-Standard, designed by PE or Designer - Residential | $700 | a home with a non-standard, designed by pe or designer system |
| Aerobic Residential | $700 | a home with a aerobic system |
| Non-Standard, designed by PE or Designer - Commercial | $1,200 | a business with a non-standard, designed by pe or designer system |
| Aerobic Commercial | $1,200 | a business with a aerobic system |
| OSSF Design Resubmission | $250 | a system, per resubmission |
| System modification - Residential | $300 | a home with a modification system |
| System modification - Commercial | $500 | a business with a modification system |
| Re-inspection | $200 | a system, per inspection |
| Maintenance contract late fee | $100 | a system the source lists as late maintenance contract |
| OSSF renewal fee Residential | $20 | a home with a system |
| OSSF renewal fee Commercial | $20 | a business with a system |
A system with a special design or an aerobic tank costs more.
Bastrop County Development Services — OSSF Application and Application Fees (rev. 2024-06-20) · checked 2026-10-05
What state law fixes for every Texas system
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750 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a design flow of 250 gallons a day or less.
Bastrop County also asks for a tank of this size for each home on a shared system.
30 TAC §285.91(2), Table II -- Septic Tank and Aerobic Treatment Unit Sizing · checked 2026-09-23
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100 feet from a private well to the drainfield
Applies to the drainfield's distance to an ordinary private well or a cistern. It does not cover a public well, or a well sealed under 16 TAC 76.1000(a)(1).
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.91(10), Table X · checked 2026-09-23
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5 feet from any property line
Applies to a septic tank, measured to a property line, a building, or a swimming pool.
30 TAC §285.91(10), Table X -- Minimum Required Separation Distances for On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
What Bastrop County requires that the state does not
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A permit is required for every septic job, whatever the lot size.
Applies to every septic job in the county.
The state exempts some large lots. This county does not.
Bastrop County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-10-05
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180
Applies to a structure of 1,500 square feet or less. The flow is per day.
This covers guest houses, workshops and garages too. RV parks are the exception.
Bastrop County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-10-05
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An engineer or a registered sanitarian must design the system. A site evaluator may not.
Applies to a second home on a tract of less than 2 acres.
This rule holds for every system type.
Bastrop County On-Site Sewage Facility Rules (TCEQ-approved order), Section 10.5 · checked 2026-10-05
Where do you file the application with Bastrop County Development Services?
Bastrop County Development Services, 211 Jackson Street, Bastrop, Texas 78602, (512) 581-7176.
Bastrop County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-10-05
The steps, in the county's order
- Make an account on the county's online permit site.
- Select the on-site sewage facility permit on the portal.
- Upload the deed, a dimensioned site plan, a survey or plat, the septic plan and the site evaluation report.
- Send the application to the county to check.
Bastrop County — My Government Online Step by Step Guide · checked 2026-10-05
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Bastrop County?
Ask Bastrop County Development Services for the permit record for the property. Call (512) 581-7176 or start at its website.
Bastrop County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-10-05
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Bastrop County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities
- Bastrop County On-Site Sewage Facility Rules (TCEQ-approved order), Section 10.5
- Bastrop County Development Services — OSSF Application and Application Fees (rev. 2024-06-20)
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation
- Bastrop County — My Government Online Step by Step Guide
- 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 Bastrop County Development Services, on (512) 581-7176.