Septic permits and fees in Denton County, Texas

Which septic permit applies in Denton County?

The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. Texas requires a site evaluation before Denton County issues a permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.

A licensed engineer or a registered sanitarian evaluates the soil and the site. Denton County requires this check before it will size a system.

Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23

What are the current septic fees in Denton County?

$310 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.

Applies to a permit to construct a new on-site sewage facility.

This is the fee for a new system. A repair or another change to an existing system costs less. The fee is non-refundable and is due when the owner applies.

Denton County Public Health — What You Must Know: On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) · checked 2026-09-23

What state law fixes for every Texas system

• 750 gallons minimum septic tank capacity

  Applies to a one- or two-bedroom home with a daily flow of 250 gallons or less.

  A bigger home needs a bigger tank. Table II sets the size from the home's daily flow, not its bedroom count alone.

  Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.91(2), Table II · checked 2026-09-23

• 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).

  This is the distance for the soil absorption system, the stricter of the two figures Table X sets. The septic tank itself may sit closer. A public well needs more room, and a properly sealed well needs less.

  Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.91(10), Table X · checked 2026-09-23

• 5 feet from any property line

  Applies to a property line, a building, or another permanent structure. The tank and the drainfield share this distance.

  State rules set this same distance for both the tank and the drainfield. A swimming pool needs a longer distance instead.

  Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.91(10), Table X · checked 2026-09-23

What Denton County requires that the state does not

• One acre, net of any drainage or floodplain easement, for a lot with an on-site sewage facility.

  Applies to a lot in a Denton County subdivision with a septic system.

  State rules set a smaller lot where public water reaches the property. They ask for a full acre only where it does not. Denton County asks for a full acre either way. It also drops easement acreage from the count.

  Denton County Subdivision Rules and Regulations (July 2009), Section IV(C) · checked 2026-09-23

• Denton County withholds the septic permit until the culvert passes its own final check. A culvert permit must also be issued first.

  Applies to a new drive on a county road, or a site that already has one.

  State septic rules set no culvert or driveway rule.

  Denton County Subdivision Rules and Regulations (July 2009), Section 7.3(E) and 7.5(A) · checked 2026-09-23

• Denton County may require a floodplain permit first. This comes before the septic permit.

  Applies to a tract inside the county's mapped floodplain.

  State septic rules set no floodplain permit. Denton County Planning issues one first, when the site needs it.

  Denton County Public Health — What You Must Know: On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) · checked 2026-09-23

Where do you file the application with Denton County Public Health, Environmental Health Division?

Denton County Public Health, Environmental Health Division, 3900 Morse Street, Denton, Texas 76208, 940-349-2920.

This is the office's main line. It also answers on a metro exchange, and its fax line is separate.

Denton County, Texas — Environmental Health Division · checked 2026-09-23

The steps, in the county's order

1. The tract may need a floodplain permit first. Denton County Planning issues this permit.
2. The driveway may need a culvert permit first. Denton County Planning issues this permit.
3. A licensed engineer or a site evaluator checks the soil and the site.
4. File the application in person, with the site evaluation, the design, and the fee.
5. Request a final inspection at least two days ahead. Do not backfill the tanks first.
6. Receive the Notice of Approval. The system may not run until the owner holds it.

Denton County Public Health — What You Must Know: On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) · checked 2026-09-23

How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Denton County?

Ask Denton County Public Health, Environmental Health Division for the permit record for the property. Call 940-349-2920 or start at its website.

Denton County, Texas — Environmental Health Division · checked 2026-09-23

Sources

Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.

1. Denton County, Texas — Environmental Health Division · checked 2026-09-23
2. Denton County Subdivision Rules and Regulations (July 2009), Section IV(C) · checked 2026-09-23
3. Denton County Public Health — What You Must Know: On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) · checked 2026-09-23
4. Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23
5. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-22

Related pages

• Septic rules and requirements in Denton County, Texas
• Soil and perc tests in Denton County, Texas
• Septic rules and requirements in Texas
• Septic rules in Denton County