Septic rules and requirements in Hays County, Texas

Who issues septic permits in Hays County?

Hays County Development Services, Environmental Health Division, at 2171 Yarrington Rd, Suite 100, Kyle, Texas 78640, 512-393-2150, option 3. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.

Ask for the on-site sewage facility team within this division.

Hays County Development Services — Contact Us · checked 2026-09-24

What does a septic permit cost in Hays County?

$610 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.

Applies to one home.

In effect from January 1, 2026.

The county sets this fee.

Hays County Development Services Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026 · checked 2026-09-24

Is the soil in Hays County suitable for a septic system?

USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 98.1% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

• Very limited — 301,167 acres — 98.1% of 307,031 rated acres.
• Somewhat limited — 5,864 acres — 1.9% of 307,031 rated acres.
• Not rated — 61,040 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

What Hays County inspects, and how often

Every 4 months for a system on a service contract.

A Designated Representative the Commissioners Court approves and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality certifies

Order Adopting Rules for Hays County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Exhibit A · checked 2026-09-24

What Hays County sets itself

The state writes the code. Hays County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Texas requirements.

• 150 feet

  Applies to a drainfield near a named local stream, such as the Blanco River.

  Hays County names this stream in its own setback table.

  Order Adopting Rules for Hays County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Exhibit A, Table 10-2 · checked 2026-09-24

• 5 acres

  Applies to a standard system with a private well in the Edwards recharge zone.

  The state's own floor for this zone is smaller.

  Order Adopting Rules for Hays County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Exhibit A, Table 10-1 · checked 2026-09-24

• A permit is required for every on-site sewage facility, no matter the lot size or acreage.

  Hays County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-24

Sources

Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. USDA's Soil Data Access service supplies the soil records. A script writes them, and nobody types them.

1. Hays County Development Services — Contact Us · checked 2026-09-24
2. Hays County Development Services — On-Site Sewage Facilities · checked 2026-09-24
3. Order Adopting Rules for Hays County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Exhibit A, Table 10-2 · checked 2026-09-24
4. Hays County Development Services Fee Schedule, effective January 1, 2026 · checked 2026-09-24
5. Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23
6. Hays County Development Services — Septic Permits · checked 2026-09-24
7. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

Related pages

• Septic rules in Hays County
• Septic permits and fees in Hays County, Texas
• Soil and perc tests in Hays County, Texas
• Septic rules and requirements in Texas