Septic permits and fees in Comal County, Texas
A septic system permit in Comal County costs $300. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Comal County Environmental Health Department issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 750 gallons. A property line needs 5 feet of clearance. Comal County Environmental Health Department — List of Environmental Health Department Fees · checked 2026-09-23
$300
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
750 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
5 feet
From a property line
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Comal County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. A site evaluator must check the site and the soil. The county needs this check before it issues a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The evaluator checks the soil. The evaluator also checks the water table, the slope, and the risk of a flood. Texas rules require this check under 30 TAC section 285.30.
Comal County Engineer's Office — Apply for Septic Permit · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Comal County?
$300 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a sewerage facility permit for a system under 500 gallons of sewage a day. It is the lower of two fee tiers.
In effect from January 1, 2019.
| Sewerage Facility Permit (<500 gallons per day) | $300 | a system of up to 500 gallons a day |
|---|---|---|
| Sewerage Facility Permit (>500 gallons per day) | $500 | a system of more than 499 gallons a day |
| Holding Tank Permit | $150 | a alternative system |
A system that produces more sewage a day pays a higher fee under the same schedule. The department also charges separate fees for a permit renewal, a remodel, a re-inspection, and a holding tank. This is the county's own fee schedule, effective since January 2019. State rules set a permit fee only for areas with no local authorized agent. Comal County is its own authorized agent, so the state fee does not apply here.
Comal County Environmental Health Department — List of Environmental Health Department Fees · 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.
This is the floor under Table II of the state's on-site sewage rules. A higher design flow needs a bigger tank under the same table.
30 TAC §285.91(2), Table II — Septic Tank and Aerobic Treatment Unit Sizing · 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.
State rules give the soil absorption field the same distance.
30 TAC §285.91(10), Table X — Minimum Required Separation Distances for On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-23
What Comal County requires that the state does not
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Comal County holds back its final approval until two things happen. A flood plain permit must be issued, and the project must meet county subdivision rules.
State rules for septic systems set no such requirement. They only require the site evaluation to record whether the tract sits in a mapped floodplain.
Comal County Engineer's Office — Apply for Septic Permit · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with Comal County Environmental Health Department?
Comal County Environmental Health Department, 195 David Jonas Drive, New Braunfels, TX 78132, 830-608-2090.
The office answers this line Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Comal County Environmental Health Department — OSSF Information · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- A site evaluator studies the site. The evaluator also studies the soil and writes a report.
- The applicant picks a system that fits the site. The system must also fit the soil.
- A person the county approves plans the system. The plan must follow the current rules.
- The owner sends a permit form to Comal County. The form also needs plans for the system.
- Comal County checks the form and the site check. The county also checks that the plan follows the rules.
- Comal County approves the plan before work starts. No one may build before that.
- A licensed installer builds the system once the county approves the plan. The installer must follow the approved plan.
- Comal County checks the system at each stage as it is built.
- Comal County issues its final approval once the system passes every check. The owner may then use the system.
Comal County Engineer's Office — Apply for Septic Permit · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Comal County?
Ask Comal County Environmental Health Department for the permit record for the property. Call 830-608-2090 or start at its website.
Comal County Environmental Health Department · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Comal County Environmental Health Department
- Comal County Environmental Health Department — OSSF Information
- Comal County Engineer's Office — Apply for Septic Permit
- Comal County Environmental Health Department — List of Environmental Health Department Fees
- 30 TAC §285.91(2), Table II — Septic Tank and Aerobic Treatment Unit Sizing
- 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 Comal County Environmental Health Department, on 830-608-2090.