Septic rules and requirements in Hunt County, Texas

Who issues septic permits in Hunt County?

Hunt County Health Department, Environmental Services, at 2701 Johnson St., Greenville, TX 75401, (903) 408-4140. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.

Hunt County Health Department, OSSF permit checklist · checked 2026-10-05

What does a septic permit cost in Hunt County?

$335 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.

Applies to a new residential septic permit.

In effect from June 1, 2022.

The same sheet lists a higher fee for a commercial permit.

Hunt County, New Septic Fees for Hunt County (as of June 1, 2022) · checked 2026-10-05

How long does approval take in Hunt County?

30 days.

Applies to a full application with all the papers.

The county decides within 30 days if all papers are in order.

Hunt County Health Department, OSSF permit checklist · checked 2026-10-05

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

USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 99.4% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

• Very limited — 475,804 acres — 99.4% of 478,458 rated acres.
• Somewhat limited — 2,654 acres — 0.6% of 478,458 rated acres.
• Not rated — 86,174 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

What Hunt County sets itself

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

• 1 acre

  Applies to any lot with a septic system.

  The county may approve a smaller lot of record if it poses no threat to water supply or health.

  Hunt County, Order Adopting Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 9H.1 · checked 2026-10-05

• Every septic system needs a permit before it goes in. Lot size does not matter.

  Applies to every septic system, whatever the lot size.

  The county does not allow the state exemptions for small systems.

  Hunt County, Order Adopting Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 9A.4 · checked 2026-10-05

• The county bans holding tanks. A county permit is the only way to put one in.

  Applies to a holding tank.

  The county may still allow one by permit.

  Hunt County, Order Adopting Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 9A.8 · checked 2026-10-05

• A big remodel must bring the system up to the current rules. This applies when the remodel adds half or more to the market value.

  Applies to a remodel that adds half or more to the market value.

  The rule holds even if a new system is not required.

  Hunt County, Order Adopting Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 9G.2 · checked 2026-10-05

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. Hunt County Health Department, OSSF permit checklist · checked 2026-10-05
2. Hunt County, Health Department page · checked 2026-10-05
3. Hunt County, Order Adopting Rules for On-Site Sewage Facilities, Section 9H.1 · checked 2026-10-05
4. Hunt County, New Septic Fees for Hunt County (as of June 1, 2022) · checked 2026-10-05
5. Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, Section 285.30, Site Evaluation · checked 2026-09-23
6. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-10-05

Related pages

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