Septic permits and fees in Fort Bend County, Texas

A septic system permit in Fort Bend County costs $575. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department 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. Fort Bend County Environmental Health — Permit/Inspection Fees · checked 2026-10-06

$575

Septic system permit

checked 2026-10-06

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 Fort Bend County?

The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. An engineer or a state-registered site evaluator must do the soil and site evaluation. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — On-Site Sewage Facility Permits / Packets · checked 2026-10-06

What are the current septic fees in Fort Bend County?

$575 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.

Applies to a single-family home. It covers plan review and two inspections.

The county's fee table for this permit
Single Family Residential shown above	$575	a system, per each the source lists as 2 inspections and plan review; includes $10.00 TCEQ fee
Non Single-Family Dwelling shown above	$575	a system, per each the source lists as 2 inspections and plan review; includes $10.00 TCEQ fee
Commerical & Industrial	$650	a system, per each the source lists as 2 inspections and plan review; includes $10.00 TCEQ fee
Additional Inspections	$225	a system, per each the source lists as Re-inspections, Emergency, Tank Only, Extra, Tie-In and Requested
Variance Request	$200	a system, per each
Plat/Subdivisions Review	$30	a system, per lot or reserve
Aerobic system annual maintenance fee	$50	a aerobic system, per annually, each system the source lists as Contracts are submitted
Re-Design	$300	a system, per each the source lists as Required if different than approved design
Non-Cancellation of Inspection	$100	a system, per each the source lists as Failure to cancel within one hour of scheduled inspection
No-Call, No-Show	$100	a system, per each the source lists as Failure to cancel plan review meeting within 24 hours or no show
Re-Instatement Fee	$25	a system the source lists as Of Annual Maintenance Contract with same provider in the same contract period

The fee includes a state fee. An application ends after one year.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — Permit/Inspection Fees · checked 2026-10-06

How long does a septic permit take in Fort Bend County?

30 days.

Applies to the county decision.

The county approves or denies an application in that time.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — On-Site Sewage Facility Permits / Packets · checked 2026-10-06

What state law fixes for every Texas system

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
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).

The state sets this rule for every county. The county's sheet shows the same distance.

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 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 Fort Bend County requires that the state does not

Every septic job needs a permit and an inspection, on a lot of any size.

Applies to any new system, and any change, extension or repair to a system.

This is the county's own rule. It adds to the state rules.

Order Adopting Rules of Fort Bend County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 10(a) · checked 2026-10-06
The 10-acre exemption does not apply in Fort Bend County.

Applies to every lot in the county.

The county order says the 10-acre exemption does not apply.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — On-Site Sewage Facility Permits / Packets · checked 2026-10-06
A registered installer builds every system. An owner may build one only if the owner is an installer.

Applies to any type of system.

The county adds this rule to the state rules.

Order Adopting Rules of Fort Bend County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 10(b) · checked 2026-10-06

Where do you file the application with Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department?

Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department, 4520 Reading Road, Suite A-800, Rosenberg, TX 77471, 281-342-7469.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — On-Site Sewage Facility (OSSF) Program · checked 2026-10-06

The steps, in the county's order

Get a project number from the county's online portal.
Get a soil and site evaluation from an engineer or a registered site evaluator.
Have an engineer or a registered sanitarian design the system to scale.
Send in the application online, on the county's portal.
Book a plan review. The county holds them on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Pass the first site inspection before any work starts.
Pass the final inspection before you use the system.

Fort Bend County Environmental Health — Procedures on Applying for an OSSF Permit · checked 2026-10-06

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

Ask Fort Bend County Environmental Health Department for the permit record for the property. Call 281-342-7469 or start at its website.