Dallas County Septic Regulations: What Homeowners Need to Know in 2026

Dallas County septic permits cost $260, require 30+ working days for review, and most properties need aerobic systems because of heavy clay soils.

Most of Dallas County is connected to municipal sewer. But approximately 20% of new Texas homes use on-site septic systems (TCEQ), and if your property is in an unincorporated area without sewer access, you're on septic. The county has its own permitting program. The rules are straightforward, but the review timeline is longer than many Texas counties, and there's a mandatory sewer connection requirement if municipal service ever reaches your area.

Dallas County Septic Quick Facts	Details
Permitting authority	Dallas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division
Residential permit fee	$260 (includes $10 state fee)
Commercial permit fee	$310 (includes $10 state fee)
Review timeline	Minimum 30 working days
Minimum lot size (public water)	0.5 acres
Minimum lot size (private well)	1.0 acres
Most common system type	Aerobic treatment units (clay soils)
Aerobic maintenance reporting	Every 4 months
Mandatory sewer hookup	Within 1 year of sewer availability

This guide covers who handles permits, fees, the application process, system types, lot requirements, the mandatory sewer hookup rules, aerobic maintenance, enforcement, and costs for Dallas County homeowners.

Who Handles Septic Permits in Dallas County?

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Environmental Health Division issues all septic permits in unincorporated Dallas County.

The Environmental Health Division operates as an authorized agent of TCEQ under the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366, meaning the county handles applications, reviews, permitting, inspections, and enforcement locally rather than through the state agency. TCEQ issued 43,215 OSSF permits statewide in 2024 (TCEQ Historical OSSF Permitting Data), and Dallas County processes its share through this office on the seventh floor of 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway in Dallas.

If your property is inside the City of Dallas or another incorporated municipality within the county (like Garland, Grand Prairie, or Mesquite), your city may handle permitting directly. Check with your city first. The county's jurisdiction covers unincorporated areas only.

Contact information:

Detail	Information
Office	Dallas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division
Address	2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 607, Dallas, TX 75207
Phone (Main)	(214) 819-2000
Phone (Appointments)	(214) 819-2112
Phone (Complaints)	(214) 819-2115
Website	dallascounty.org/departments/dchhs/public-health/environmental-health

Important payment note: The Environmental Health Division does not accept debit or credit cards. Fees must be paid by check (personal, company, or cashier's check) or money order, payable to Dallas County. Bring a valid driver's license when you pay.

How Much Do Septic Permits Cost in Dallas County?

Residential septic permits in Dallas County cost $260 including the state fee. Commercial permits run $310. These are among the more affordable septic permit fees in the DFW metro area.

Here's the current fee schedule:

Permit Type	Fee	Notes
Residential OSSF inspection/permit	$260	Includes $10 state fee
Commercial OSSF inspection/permit	$310	Includes $10 state fee
Residential re-inspection	$60	If initial inspection finds deficiencies
Commercial re-inspection	$110	If initial inspection finds deficiencies
Expedited inspection	$100	Priority scheduling

These are county permit and inspection fees only. Your total cost also includes the site evaluation ($600-$1,200) and system design by a TCEQ-licensed professional, which together can add $1,000+ to the permit package.

The 10-acre exemption: Under TCEQ rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), if your property is 10 acres or larger, has only one single-family home with one septic system, and the disposal area sits at least 100 feet from all property lines, you may not need a county permit. Per TCEQ's permitting guidance, the system still must meet every technical standard in Chapter 285. This exemption covers only the first system on the property.

How Does the Dallas County Septic Permit Process Work?

Dallas County allows a minimum of 30 working days to review septic applications. That's longer than most Texas counties, so plan accordingly.

Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Confirm your jurisdiction. Make sure your property is in unincorporated Dallas County. Properties inside the City of Dallas or other incorporated cities may go through a different permitting authority.

2. Get a flood plain verification. You'll need a signed statement from the Dallas County Public Works Department confirming your property is not in the 100-year flood-prone area. If you're inside a municipality, get this from the appropriate city official instead. All buildings and septic systems must be above the flood plain.

3. Hire a site evaluator. A TCEQ-licensed site evaluator must evaluate your soil, groundwater depth, and site conditions. Based on this evaluation, a registered sanitarian or professional engineer prepares the system design.

4. Gather documents. Your application needs: site evaluation report, property plat or survey, OSSF design by a PE or registered sanitarian, the flood plain statement, and (for certain system types) an affidavit recorded with the Dallas County Clerk. For ET drain field systems, file an affidavit stating the design flow rate in the deed records.

5. Schedule an appointment. Call (214) 819-2112 to schedule an in-person appointment to submit your application and payment. The division operates by appointment only for submissions.

6. Submit application. Bring the complete application package with all documents and payment (check or money order only). Incomplete applications get rejected without review.

7. County review. The Environmental Health Division reviews your plans against county rules and 30 TAC Chapter 285. The minimum review period is 30 working days. Factor this into your construction timeline.

8. Authorization to construct. Once approved, you receive a construction permit. Only a TCEQ-licensed installer can perform the work.

9. Inspection. After installation, the county inspects the system. Don't cover or backfill anything until the inspector approves it.

10. Certificate of completion. Pass inspection and you're cleared to operate. Failed inspections mean corrections and a $60 re-inspection fee.

What Are the Lot Size Requirements for Septic in Dallas County?

Dallas County follows TCEQ's standard lot size rules: 0.5 acres with public water, or 1 acre with a private well. Properties platted before January 1, 1988 may qualify on smaller lots.

Water Source	Minimum Lot Size
Public water + septic	0.5 acres
Private well + septic	1.0 acres

Grandfathering exception: Lots subdivided before January 1, 1988, or lots that had a site-specific sewage plan approved between 1988 and the current rules, can install septic systems on smaller lots as long as all other Chapter 285 requirements are met.

These lot size requirements are less restrictive than some neighboring counties like Collin County. But given that most of Dallas County has municipal sewer, the septic lot-size question mainly applies to rural pockets and fringe properties.

What Is Dallas County's Mandatory Sewer Connection Rule?

If the City of Dallas extends sewer service to your area, you have one year to connect and abandon your septic system. If your septic fails before that year is up, you must connect immediately.

Dallas County's mandatory sewer hookup rule is the biggest regulation difference between the county and more rural Texas areas. Here's what it means:

100-foot rule (City of Dallas): Under Dallas City Code Section 19-87, no septic permit will be issued if the property is within 100 feet of an existing city sanitary sewer line. Exceptions are rare and require the city director to determine that connection is physically impossible.

Mandatory connection timeline: Once the city sewer system reaches your area, you have 12 months to connect. The clock starts when sewer service becomes "available" to your property. If your septic system fails or overflows before that year is up, you must connect immediately, not wait out the remaining months.

What this means for planning: If you're in an unincorporated fringe area and hear about planned sewer extensions in your neighborhood, factor potential connection costs into your budget. Connecting to municipal sewer typically runs $3,000-$10,000 depending on distance to the main and site conditions, plus monthly sewer fees going forward.

For properties deep in unincorporated Dallas County with no planned sewer expansion, this isn't an immediate concern. But it's worth knowing before investing in a new septic system.

What Types of Septic Systems Are Allowed in Dallas County?

Most soils in Dallas County can't support conventional septic systems. The heavy clay soils in many parts of the county mean aerobic treatment units, low-pressure dose systems, or mound systems are frequently required.

The type of system you can install depends entirely on your site evaluation, not personal preference.

Common system types permitted:

• Conventional gravity-flow: Allowed where sandy or well-draining soils exist. Less common in Dallas County than in many other Texas counties.
• Aerobic treatment units (ATUs): The most common alternative when soil conditions rule out conventional. Uses mechanical aeration for higher-level treatment.
• Low-pressure dose (LPD) / drip irrigation: Uses smaller-diameter piping for even distribution of treated wastewater.
• Mound systems: Elevated drain field built with imported sand and soil when the natural water table is too shallow.

Because of Dallas County's soil conditions, many homeowners end up with aerobic systems even though they're more expensive and require ongoing maintenance contracts.

What Are the Aerobic System Requirements in Dallas County?

Aerobic septic systems in Dallas County require a maintenance contract with a licensed provider and reports filed to the county every 4 months.

If you have an aerobic treatment unit, here's what the county expects:

Initial maintenance: Your installer covers the first two years of maintenance after installation. After that, you're responsible for keeping a maintenance contract active.

Reporting schedule: Your maintenance provider must submit reports to Dallas County and to you at least every 4 months. If your system has electronic monitoring that alerts the provider to failures and tracks disinfection, reporting drops to every 6 months.

Chlorine disinfection warning: Per TCEQ rules, if your aerobic system uses chlorine disinfection, you must use calcium hypochlorite tablets certified for wastewater treatment by the EPA. Do not use swimming pool chlorine tablets. Pool tablets can release nitrogen chloride gas, which is dangerous.

Homeowner self-maintenance: Two years after installation, you may be able to maintain your own aerobic system for secondary treatment, drip irrigation, and surface application systems. Check with the Environmental Health Division at (214) 819-2112 to confirm whether Dallas County allows self-maintenance for your specific system type.

What the maintenance provider checks:

• Aerator and blower operation
• Alarm system function
• Disinfection unit
• Wastewater quality
• Spray heads or drip emitters
• General system condition

Budget $200-$400 per year for a standard aerobic maintenance contract in the Dallas area.

What Happens If You Violate Dallas County Septic Rules?

Dallas County issues notices for septic violations and gives property owners a correction period. First-time violations allow 30 days for repair. Repeat violations within 12 months cut that to 10 days.

What triggers enforcement:

• Operating without a permit
• Installing or modifying a system without authorization
• Failing to maintain an aerobic system contract
• Systems causing a nuisance (odors, surface sewage, contamination)
• Failing required inspections

Penalties under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366:

• Homeowner administrative penalty: Up to $100 per day
• Maintenance company first violation: $200
• Maintenance company subsequent violations: $500 each
• TCEQ civil penalties for serious violations: Up to $5,000 per day

Mandatory maintenance contracts: If you're cited for a violation, you have 10 days to either fix the problem or enter into a maintenance contract. A second violation within 3 years of the first requires you to enter into a maintenance contract within 10 days, with no option to self-repair.

How Much Does Septic Work Cost in Dallas County?

Conventional systems run $5,500-$8,000 installed, but Dallas County's clay soils often require aerobic systems at $10,000-$20,000, nearly double the conventional price.

Here's what homeowners in the Dallas area should budget:

Item	Cost Range
Conventional system install (3-bedroom)	$5,500-$8,000
Aerobic system install	$10,000-$20,000
Site evaluation and soil testing	$600-$1,200
County permit fee (residential)	$260
Total permit + site eval	$860-$1,460
Septic pumping (1,000-gallon tank)	$275-$400
Aerobic maintenance contract (annual)	$200-$400
Typical repair	$275-$375/hour + materials
Drain field replacement	$5,000-$12,000

Dallas County costs are consistent with the broader DFW metro area. The prevalence of clay soils means many properties can't go with the cheaper conventional option, pushing total installation costs toward the $10,000-$20,000 range. Labor rates in the DFW metro also tend to be higher than rural Texas.

Conventional vs. aerobic cost comparison: A conventional system at $7,000 with minimal annual maintenance ($275-$400 for pumping every 3-5 years) looks attractive. But if your site evaluation shows clay soils, that's not an option. An aerobic system at $15,000 plus $200-$400 per year for mandatory maintenance adds roughly $4,000-$8,000 over 20 years in ongoing costs alone.

For a full breakdown of Texas septic costs, see our septic pumping cost guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit for septic work in Dallas County?

Yes, all new installations, repairs, and modifications require a permit from the Dallas County Environmental Health Division. The only exception is the 10-acre exemption under TCEQ rules (30 TAC Chapter 285). Routine pumping does not require a permit. Call (214) 819-2112 to schedule an appointment.

How much does a septic permit cost in Dallas County?

Residential permits cost $260, which includes the $10 state fee. Budget another $600-$1,200 for the required site evaluation and system design. Total permit package costs typically run $860-$1,460 before installation begins. Payment must be by check or money order only.

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

Plan for 2-3 months total, including a minimum 30 working-day county review period. That's about 6 calendar weeks for the review alone, plus the time needed to complete your site evaluation and system design beforehand. Under TCEQ rules (30 TAC Chapter 285), the permitting authority must approve or deny within 30 days of receiving a complete application.

Can I keep my septic system if sewer lines reach my area?

No. Under Dallas City Code Section 19-87, you have one year to connect once sewer service becomes available. If your septic fails before that year is up, you must connect immediately. Sewer connection typically costs $3,000-$10,000 depending on distance to the main. For properties in unincorporated Dallas County, check with the county about any planned sewer extensions.

Why do most Dallas County properties need aerobic systems?

Because of the soil. Dallas County has heavy clay soils in many areas that can't absorb and treat wastewater fast enough for conventional septic to work. According to TCEQ's permitting guidelines, the site evaluation determines which system type is allowed. If the soil analysis shows poor drainage or high clay content, you'll need an aerobic system or other alternative treatment.

How do Dallas County septic fees compare to other DFW counties?

Dallas County's $260 residential permit fee is mid-range for the DFW metro area. Collin County charges around $400 for residential permits, while Tarrant County fees are similar to Dallas County's. The bigger cost variable is your system type: if clay soils push you toward aerobic treatment, installation costs jump from the $5,500-$8,000 conventional range to $10,000-$20,000 for aerobic.

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Last updated: February 7, 2026 Reviewed by: Texas Septic Guide Editorial Team, content verified against TCEQ regulations, Dallas County OSSF application requirements, Dallas City Code Section 19-87, and 30 TAC Chapter 285

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Sources: Dallas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health Division; Dallas City Code Chapter 19, Article VII; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), 30 TAC Chapter 285; Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366; TCEQ Historical OSSF Permitting Data.

Serving Dallas County communities: Dallas