Septic permits and fees in Guadalupe County, Texas
A septic system permit in Guadalupe County costs $400. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Guadalupe 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. Guadalupe County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-06
$400
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 Guadalupe County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. A registered sanitarian, a site evaluator or an engineer must do a site and soil evaluation first. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
The evaluation covers the whole lot and the soil where the system will go.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF Permit Process · checked 2026-10-06
What are the current septic fees in Guadalupe County?
$400 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a new conventional system for a home.
In effect from October 23, 2025.
| Residential Conventional OSSF Application | $400 | a home with a conventional system |
|---|---|---|
| Residential Advanced Treatment OSSF Application | $500 | a home with a advanced treatment system |
| Multi-Unit / Rental Communities / Condo / Commercial OSSF Application | $600 | any system |
| Repair OSSF Applications | $200 | a system the source lists as repair; replacing tanks or drain-fields needs a new permit at the full fee |
| Connection OSSF Applications | $200 | a system the source lists as connection to an existing OSSF |
| Alteration OSSF Applications | $200 | a system the source lists as alteration |
| Expansion of OSSF Applications | $200 | a system the source lists as expansion |
| OSSF Re-Inspection Fee | $200 | a system, per re-inspection |
Advanced treatment systems pay more.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health Fee Schedule · checked 2026-10-06
How long does a septic permit take in Guadalupe County?
30 days.
Applies to a full application.
The county must explain a denial in writing.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF Permit Process · checked 2026-10-06
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 Guadalupe County requires that the state does not
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1
Applies to a lot that uses its own septic system.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF FAQ · checked 2026-10-06
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Every septic system needs a county permit, whatever the size of the lot.
Applies to a system on a lot of any size.
Guadalupe County On-Site Sewage Facilities Order, Section 10(D) · checked 2026-10-06
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An engineer or a sanitarian must draw the plans for any system with a pump tank.
Applies to a system with a pump tank.
Guadalupe County On-Site Sewage Facilities Order, Section 10(E) · checked 2026-10-06
Where do you file the application with Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department?
Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department, 310 IH 10 West, Seguin, Texas 78155, (830) 303-8858.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF page · checked 2026-10-06
The steps, in the county's order
- Hire a registered sanitarian, a site evaluator or an engineer to do a site and soil evaluation.
- Send the application, the plans, the site evaluation and the fee. Use the name of the owner.
- Wait for the county to review the application and issue an authorization to construct.
- Have a licensed installer build the system, then ask the county to inspect it.
- Receive the notice of approval after the system passes inspection. The system may not run before then.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF Permit Process · checked 2026-10-06
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Guadalupe County?
Ask Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department for the permit record for the property. Call (830) 303-8858 or start at its website.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health · checked 2026-10-06
The county also takes an open records request form.
Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF FAQ · checked 2026-10-06
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
- Guadalupe County Environmental Health
- Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF page
- Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF FAQ
- Guadalupe County On-Site Sewage Facilities Order, Section 10(D)
- Guadalupe County Environmental Health Fee Schedule
- Guadalupe County Environmental Health, OSSF Permit Process
- 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 Guadalupe County Environmental Health Department, on (830) 303-8858.