Septic permits and fees in Collin County, Texas
A septic system permit in Collin County costs $310. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Collin 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. Collin County Adopted Fee Schedule FY 2026 -- Development Services · checked 2026-09-23
$310
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
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 Collin County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. Texas requires a site evaluation before Collin County issues a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Collin County?
$310 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a new gravity system for a home with no maintenance contract.
| On-Site Sewage Facility Re-Review | $50 | any system |
|---|---|---|
| Repair Existing Septic System | $100 | a system the source lists as less than 100' of line, with no exchange of tanks |
| Repair Existing Septic System | $150 | a system the source lists as over 100' of line, or with an exchange of tanks |
| Subdivision/Plat Review of Private Sewage Facilities | $100 | a system, per 15 per lot the source lists as $15 per lot, plus $100 |
| Wastewater Inspection - New Commercial Construction (no Maintenance) | $450 | a business with a conventional, no maintenance system |
| Wastewater Inspection - New Commercial Construction (w/Maintenance) | $475 | a business with a aerobic, with maintenance system |
| Wastewater Inspections - New Residential Construction (no Maintenance) | $310 | a home with a conventional, no maintenance system |
| Wastewater Inspections - New Residential Construction (w/Maintenance) | $335 | a home with a aerobic, with maintenance system |
| Wastewater Inspections - Re-Inspection | $75 | a system the source lists as after failure of the first inspection |
| Wastewater Review for Existing Septic | $50 | a system the source lists as if 50% of the system will be repaired or upgraded, the county requires a new-OSSF permit |
| Development Permit - New Construction | $75 | a system the source lists as total fee made up of a $20 Flood Plain Development Review fee, a $15 Lot Subdivision Check fee, and a $15 On-Site Sewage Facility Compliance Review fee |
Part of this fee goes to the state.
Collin County Adopted Fee Schedule FY 2026 -- Development Services · checked 2026-09-23
What state law fixes for every Texas system
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750 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a design wastewater flow of 250 gallons a day or less.
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 Collin County requires that the state does not
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A lot must have at least one usable acre. A lot with a water well needs one and a half acres, with one acre usable.
Applies to a lot used for an on-site sewage facility.
The date the county platted the lot decides the exact rule. Development Services can confirm it for a lot.
Collin County Development Services -- On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
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Every septic system in the county needs a permit. The lot's size does not change this.
The county's order lists this as stricter than the state's rule.
Collin County Commissioners Court Order No. 2008-187-03-11 -- On-Site Sewage Facilities Rules and Regulations · checked 2026-09-23
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An aerobic spray system must use subsurface, or pop-up, heads.
Collin County Commissioners Court Order No. 2008-187-03-11 -- On-Site Sewage Facilities Rules and Regulations · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with Collin County Development Services?
Collin County Development Services, 4690 Community Ave., McKinney, TX 75071, (972) 548-5585.
Collin County Development Services -- On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Register for a CSS Portal account, then log in.
- Choose the OSSF, or Septic, permit type in the Application Assistant.
- Enter the project's location and contacts. Add the other permit details.
- Confirm the application is true, and sign it.
- Submit the form when it is ready.
- View the new permit number and its status.
Collin County Development Services -- How to Apply for a Permit (CSS Portal) · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Collin County?
Ask Collin County Development Services for the permit record for the property. Call (972) 548-5585 or start at its website.
Collin County Development Services -- OSSF Aerobic Systems Information Sheet · checked 2026-09-23
The CSS Portal's Dashboard and My Work tabs show a permit's status.
Collin County Development Services -- How to Apply for a Permit (CSS Portal) · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Collin County Development Services -- OSSF Aerobic Systems Information Sheet
- Collin County Development Services -- On-Site Sewage Facilities
- Collin County Commissioners Court Order No. 2008-187-03-11 -- On-Site Sewage Facilities Rules and Regulations
- Collin County Adopted Fee Schedule FY 2026 -- Development Services
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation
- Collin County Development Services -- How to Apply for a Permit (CSS Portal)
- 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 Collin County Development Services, on (972) 548-5585.