Septic rules and requirements in Travis County, Texas
Septic permits in Travis County are issued by the county environmental health office. A new system permit costs $712. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 95.8% of the rated acres. Travis County TNR — On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Permit · checked 2026-09-23
$712
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
Very limited
USDA rating, 95.8% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-22
Who issues septic permits in Travis County?
The county environmental health office, at 700 Lavaca, Suite 540, Austin, TX 78701, (512) 854-4215. It is part of county government. The state writes the rules it applies.
The permit desk answers this line Monday through Thursday, nine in the morning to two in the afternoon. A separate line reaches the inspection team.
Travis County TNR — On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Permit · checked 2026-09-23
What does a septic permit cost in Travis County?
$712 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a private septic permit for a system of 500 gallons a day or less. Most homes qualify.
In effect from January 1, 2026.
| Private Sewage Permit (Up to 500 gpd) | $712 | a system of up to 500 gallons a day |
|---|---|---|
| Private Sewage Permit (Over 500 gpd) | $712 | a system of more than 499 gallons a day |
| Engineered Construction Permit (Up to 500 gpd) | $1,262 | a system of up to 500 gallons a day the source lists as engineered system |
| Engineered Construction Permit (Over 500 gpd) | $1,262 | a system of more than 499 gallons a day the source lists as engineered system |
Travis County sets this fee itself. An engineered system costs more. The state adds its own fee on top of either one.
Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources — FY2026 Development Related Fees Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
Is the soil in Travis County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 95.8% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-22
What Travis County sets itself
The state writes the code. Travis County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Texas requirements.
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$712
Applies to a private septic permit for a system of 500 gallons a day or less. Most homes qualify.
Travis County sets this fee itself. An engineered system costs more. The state adds its own fee on top of either one.
Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources — FY2026 Development Related Fees Schedule · checked 2026-09-23
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Travis County sets a one-acre minimum lot size for a new residential lot that uses a septic system. This rule applies whether or not the lot has a public water supply.
The state allows a half-acre lot where a public water supply serves it. Travis County drops that difference and asks for one acre everywhere.
Travis County Code, Chapter 448, Rules of Travis County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, §448.032(b) · checked 2026-09-23
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Travis County requires a permit for every septic system in the county. No lot is too large to need one.
Applies to every on-site sewage facility. It covers a one-family home on a large lot that would otherwise be exempt.
The state excuses a home on a large, qualifying lot from a permit. Travis County's code ends that excuse.
Travis County Code, Chapter 448, Rules of Travis County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, §448.033(a) · checked 2026-09-23
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.
- Travis County TNR — On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Permit
- Travis County Code, Chapter 448, Rules of Travis County, Texas for On-Site Sewage Facilities, §448.032(b)
- Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources — FY2026 Development Related Fees Schedule
- Texas Administrative Code, Title 30, Chapter 285, §285.91(12), Table II
- 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 county environmental health office, on (512) 854-4215.