Septic permit rules and requirements in Texas
In Texas, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your county or city authorized agent. For some systems the state issues it itself. The code is 30 TAC Chapter 285. Texas Health and Safety Code § 366.051 · checked 2026-09-11
Your county or city authorized agent
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-11
30 TAC Chapter 285
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who decides a septic permit in Texas
Your county or city authorized agent issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor.
The statute lets a county or city become an authorized agent. If a location sits in an authorized agent's area, the agent issues the permit. The state issues it everywhere else.
Texas Health and Safety Code § 366.051 · checked 2026-09-11
The office's phone number is 512-239-3799.
This is the phone number for general septic questions on the contacts page. The page also lists a separate number for licenses and registrations.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — On-Site Sewage Facility Program Contacts · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Program.
The office's own page names this address as its canonical link.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Program · checked 2026-09-23
The floor state law sets
The rules that govern every septic system in Texas are 30 TAC Chapter 285. Every local permit is issued under them.
It writes the rules for building, permitting and checking septic systems across the state.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
What state law requires
Does Texas require a septic permit?
Texas requires a permit to build, alter, repair, extend or operate an OSSF.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
Does Texas require a percolation test?
Texas requires a site evaluation, not a percolation test, before a permit.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
The minimum septic tank size Texas allows.
1,000 gallons.
Applies to a 3-bedroom house.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from a well in Texas.
100 feet.
Applies to a private well, as the state floor. A county may set more.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from the property line in Texas.
5 feet.
Applies to a property line, as the state floor. A county may set more.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
Must the installer be licensed in Texas?
TCEQ licenses installers before they can build an OSSF.
Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285 · checked 2026-09-23
Whether Texas counts what it permits
Yes. Texas publishes septic permit counts by county.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — Permitting Data for OSSF (Septic Systems) · checked 2026-09-11
Counties with rules of their own
The state writes the code. Each county below adds rules of its own. Open the county to read them with their sources.
| County | Sets itself |
|---|---|
| Bastrop County | permit required any lot size · sizing factor 180 gpd small structures · professional design second home small tract · installer inspection day notice |
| Bell County | permit required any lot size · no holding tanks new construction |
| Collin County | minimum lot size · licensing required regardless of lot size · inspection interval |
| Comal County | permit fee · floodplain permit required |
| Denton County | permit fee · minimum lot size · culvert permit required · floodplain permit required |
| Ellis County | minimum lot size · homeowner installer license required · final plat annotation |
| Fort Bend County | permit required any lot size · registered installer only · food business monthly service |
| Grayson County | minimum lot size private water · aerobic system small lot · public sewer connection · rv sites aerobic |
| Guadalupe County | permit required any lot size · minimum lot size · pump tank planning materials |
| Hays County | waterway setback 150ft · edwards recharge zone lot size · no acreage exemption |
| Hunt County | minimum lot size · permit required any lot size · holding tanks prohibited · remodel upgrade required |
| Montgomery County | permit fee · no septic in floodway |
| Parker County | permit fee · minimum lot size · no acreage exemption |
| Travis County | permit fee · minimum lot size · no acreage exemption |
| Williamson County | permit fee |
| Wise County | minimum lot size · platting referral |
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your county or city authorized agent before you spend money on it.