How to Look Up a Septic Permit in Texas (2026)

To look up a septic permit in Texas, contact your county's authorized agent or designated representative with your property address. Texas requires OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facility) permits for all septic system installations, repairs, and alterations under 30 TAC Chapter 285. Permit fees range from $30 to $710 depending on county and system type. Find your county's permitting authority using TCEQ's Authorized Agent search tool.

How to Look Up a Septic Permit by Address

The fastest way to find septic permit records for a Texas property is through your county's permitting authority. Here's the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Find your county's authorized agent. Visit the TCEQ Authorized Agent search tool and select your county. Most Texas counties have authorized an agent — typically the county health department or environmental services office — to manage OSSF permits. If your county has no authorized agent, your TCEQ regional office is the permitting authority.

Step 2: Contact the authorized agent or designated representative (DR). Call or email with your property address, owner name, and legal description (available from your county appraisal district). Request copies of any OSSF permits on file.

Step 3: Request the site plan. Permits filed after September 1989 include a site diagram showing the septic tank location, drain field layout, setback distances, and system type installed. This is the most valuable document for understanding your system. Record copies typically cost $10–$25.

Step 4: Check TCEQ's historical data if the county can't locate records. TCEQ maintains historical OSSF permitting data by county and region dating back decades. This won't give you your specific permit but confirms whether permits were issued in your area during a given year.

Step 5: Handle missing permits. Systems installed before September 1, 1989, may predate TCEQ's permitting program. These are grandfathered under TCEQ rules as long as they are not in disrepair, causing a nuisance, or being significantly altered. If your system has no permit and needs repair, hire a licensed site evaluator ($200–$500) to document the existing system — your county will require a new permit for any alterations.

County Permitting Contacts for Major Texas Counties

Your county's authorized agent handles all OSSF permit applications, lookups, and inspections. Contact them directly to look up existing permits or apply for new ones.

County	Permitting Authority	Phone	Permit Fee (Conventional)	Permit Fee (Aerobic)
Travis	Travis County TNR — Development Services	(512) 854-4215	$285–$475	$475–$700
Williamson	Williamson County Environmental Services	(512) 943-1313	$510	$710
Hays	Hays County Development Services	(512) 393-2150	Contact office	Contact office
Harris	Harris County Public Health — Environmental	(713) 274-6300	Contact office	Contact office
Bexar	Bexar County Environmental Services	(210) 335-6700	Contact office	Contact office
Tarrant	Tarrant County Public Health	(817) 321-4960	Contact office	Contact office
Collin	Collin County Environmental Health	(972) 548-4707	Contact office	Contact office
Denton	Denton County Health Department	(940) 349-2900	Contact office	Contact office
Fort Bend	Fort Bend County Health & Human Services	(281) 342-6414	Contact office	Contact office
Montgomery	Montgomery County Environmental Health	(936) 539-7839	Contact office	Contact office
Bell	Bell County Public Health	(254) 933-5295	Contact office	Contact office
Brazoria	Brazoria County Health Department	(979) 864-1484	Contact office	Contact office

Fees vary by system type, property size, and whether the site is in the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. Call your county to confirm current fees.

Can't find your county? Use the TCEQ Authorized Agent search to find your permitting authority, or contact TCEQ directly at (512) 239-3799 or ossf@tceq.texas.gov.

When Is a Septic Permit Required in Texas?

Under 30 TAC Chapter 285, a permit is required to:

• Install a new septic system — all new construction on properties without municipal sewer
• Replace an existing system — even if the same type and size
• Repair or alter a system — major repairs beyond routine maintenance
• Extend a system — adding capacity for a home addition or ADU
• Convert system type — switching from conventional to aerobic or vice versa

Exceptions to the permit requirement:

Exception	Requirements
10 Acre Rule	Single-family home on 10+ acres, site evaluation by licensed professional, system does not cause nuisance or pollution, no surface discharge
Grandfathered systems	Installed before September 1, 1989 (or before your county's OSSF program began), not in disrepair, not causing a nuisance, not being significantly altered
Emergency repairs	Certain minor repairs to prevent immediate health hazards — must be reported to the permitting authority within 72 hours

How to Apply for a New Septic Permit

If you need a new permit — for installation, replacement, or major repair — here's the process:

1. Hire a licensed site evaluator. A TCEQ-licensed site evaluator or Professional Engineer performs a preconstruction site evaluation including soil analysis and percolation testing. Cost: $200–$500 for the evaluation.

2. Get a system design. Based on the site evaluation, a licensed installer or PE designs the system. The design specifies system type (conventional, aerobic, drip, mound), tank size, drain field dimensions, and setback compliance.

3. Submit the application. File the planning materials and TCEQ Form 0235 with your county's authorized agent. Include the site evaluation, system design, property survey, and permit fee.

4. Wait for review. TCEQ requires permitting authorities to approve or deny within 30 days of receiving a complete application. Incomplete applications restart the 30-day clock.

5. Receive Authorization to Construct. Once approved, you receive an Authorization to Construct valid for one year. Construction must be completed and inspected within this window.

6. Schedule inspections. Your county inspects the installation at key stages (typically after tank placement and before backfill). After final inspection, the permit is closed and the system is registered.

Step	Typical Cost	Timeline
Site evaluation	$200–$500	1–2 weeks
System design	Included in installer quote	1 week
Permit application	$30–$710 (varies by county)	Same day
County review	—	Up to 30 days
Construction	$6,300–$20,000 (system dependent)	1–3 weeks
Final inspection	Included in permit fee	1–3 days
Total timeline	—	4–8 weeks

For a full cost breakdown of septic system installation, see our septic installation cost guide.

Septic Permit Costs by County

Permit fees in Texas vary significantly by county and system type. Aerobic systems cost more to permit because they require additional review for maintenance contracts, spray/drip field design, and TCEQ compliance documentation.

County	Conventional System	Aerobic System	Notes
Williamson	$510	$710	Highest fees in Central Texas
Travis	$285–$475	$475–$700	Fee varies by system complexity
Hays	$200–$400	$400–$600	Edwards Aquifer zone may add surcharges
Harris	$150–$350	$350–$550	Contact (713) 274-6300 to confirm
Bexar	$200–$400	$350–$600	Contact (210) 335-6700 to confirm
Rural counties (TCEQ direct)	$30–$200	$100–$300	Lower fees where TCEQ is the direct authority

Fees current as of early 2026. Contact your county to verify — fees change periodically. Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone properties may incur additional review fees.

Sources & Methodology

Permitting information in this guide is sourced directly from TCEQ OSSF program documentation, county authorized agent offices, and Texas Administrative Code Title 30, Chapter 285.

• TCEQ — On-Site Sewage Facilities Program
• 30 TAC Chapter 285 — Full Text
• TCEQ — Authorized Agent Search
• EPA — Septic Systems Overview

Last verified: March 9, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I look up a septic permit by address in Texas?

Contact your county's authorized agent or designated representative and provide your property address. Most counties maintain OSSF permit records searchable by address. You can find your county's permitting authority using the TCEQ Authorized Agent search tool. Permits filed after 1989 include a site plan showing the system layout.

Is a septic permit required in Texas?

Yes. Texas requires an OSSF permit to construct, install, alter, extend, or repair any septic system under 30 TAC Chapter 285. The only exceptions are single-family homes on 10+ acres that meet specific conditions (the "10 Acre Rule"), systems grandfathered before September 1, 1989, and certain emergency repairs reported within 72 hours.

How much does a septic permit cost in Texas?

Septic permit fees range from $30 to $710 depending on your county and system type. Williamson County charges $510 for conventional and $710 for aerobic permits. Travis County charges $285–$475 for conventional and $475–$700 for aerobic. Rural counties where TCEQ serves as the direct permitting authority typically charge less.

What happens if my septic system has no permit?

Systems installed before September 1, 1989, may legally have no permit — they are grandfathered under TCEQ rules as long as they are not in disrepair, causing a nuisance, or being significantly altered. If you need to repair or replace an unpermitted system, you will need to obtain a new permit through your county's authorized agent.

How long does it take to get a septic permit in Texas?

TCEQ requires permitting authorities to approve or deny permit applications within 30 days of receiving a complete application. After approval, you receive an Authorization to Construct valid for one year. The full process from application to construction typically takes 4–8 weeks for straightforward conventional systems.

Can I look up septic permits online in Texas?

Some counties offer online permit lookups, but most Texas counties require a phone call or in-person visit to their authorized agent's office. TCEQ publishes historical permitting data by county, but individual permit records are maintained at the county level. Travis County accepts online applications through mgoconnect.org.

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Last updated: March 9, 2026 Reviewed by: Texas Septic Guide Editorial Team, content verified against TCEQ permitting requirements, county fee schedules, and 30 TAC Chapter 285 regulations

Need help with your septic permit? Find a licensed septic company in your area

Sources: TCEQ OSSF Permitting Program; 30 TAC Chapter 285; TCEQ Authorized Agent database; county fee schedules for Travis, Williamson, Hays, Harris, and Bexar counties; TCEQ historical OSSF permitting data.