Septic rules and requirements in Bell County, Texas
Septic permits in Bell County are issued by the Bell County Public Health District. A new system permit costs $610. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 93.0% of the rated acres. Bell County Public Health District · checked 2026-10-06
Bell County Public Health District
Issues the permit
checked 2026-10-06
$610
Septic system permit
checked 2026-10-06
Very limited
USDA rating, 93.0% of rated acres
checked 2026-10-06
Who issues septic permits in Bell County?
Bell County Public Health District, at 4236 Lowes Dr. Temple, TX 76502, 254-532-9800.
Bell County does not issue septic permits. Bell County Public Health District issues them.
Callers choose an extension for the program they need.
Bell County Public Health District · checked 2026-10-06
What does a septic permit cost in Bell County?
$610 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a standard permit for one home.
In effect from September 1, 2024.
| Standard | $610 | any system |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Designs | $710 | a professional design system |
| 0-1249 gallons per day | $810 | a system of 0 to 1,249 gallons a day |
| 1250-4999 gallons per day | $910 | a system of 1,250 to 4,999 gallons a day |
| Initial Design Reviews | $150 | a system the source lists as applied to permit fee and must be paid to initiate review |
| Additional Design Reviews | $150 | any system |
| Amended Designs (submitted 5 days after final inspection) | $300 | a system the source lists as submitted 5 days after final inspection |
| Partial Inspections (at the request of the installer) | $150 | a system the source lists as at the request of the installer |
| Real Estate Inspections | $200 | any system |
| Maintenance Inspection / Contract Verification (per contract year) | $20 | a system, per contract year |
A permit with a professional design costs more. The schedule took effect on September 1, 2024.
Bell County Public Health District, On-Site Sewage Fees · checked 2026-10-06
Is the soil in Bell County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 93.0% 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 2026-10-06
What Bell County sets itself
The state writes the code. Bell County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Texas requirements.
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Bell County asks for a permit for every septic system, on a lot of any size.
Applies to every septic system, on a lot of any size.
The state exempts some large tracts from a permit. This county has no such exemption.
Bell County Public Health District, OSSF Process · checked 2026-10-06
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A new building cannot use a holding tank.
Applies to a new building that needs a septic system.
The state allows a holding tank on some sites. This county does not allow one in new construction.
Bell County Public Health District, Additional Rules beyond Chapter 285 · checked 2026-10-06
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.
- Bell County Public Health District
- Bell County Public Health District, OSSF Process
- Bell County Public Health District, Additional Rules beyond Chapter 285
- Bell County Public Health District, On-Site Sewage Fees
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation
- 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 Bell County Public Health District, on 254-532-9800.