Septic Systems

You need a permit before installing a septic system in Ellis County

Homes outside city sewer service areas need an on-site sewage system, and Ellis County adopted its own rules for permitting and inspecting those systems.

Ellis County Home & Property

No city sewer line at your property? You need a septic system. In Ellis County, that means getting a permit first. The county passed its Septic Order in April 2011. That order adds local rules on top of state rules.

State rules under 30 TAC §285 set distance rules. A water well must be at least 50 feet from a septic tank. It must be at least 100 feet from a drain field. You cannot skip the permit. Call the Ellis County Department of Development or TCEQ to find out who issues yours. If you sell without the right permits, it can cause legal trouble at closing.

Source to confirm: TCEQ — On-Site Sewage Facilities

More Ellis County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two different offices handle your property tax in Ellis County

The Ellis County Appraisal District sets your property value, but a separate Tax Assessor-Collector office sends the bill and collects the money.

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Homestead Exemption

File a homestead exemption to lower your property tax bill

Texas law lets homeowners who live in their home claim a homestead exemption that reduces the taxable value of the property.

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Ag Valuation

Farm and ranch land can be taxed on productivity, not market value

In Ellis County, qualifying farm or ranch land is taxed on what it can produce, not what it could sell for. That can cut the tax bill by a lot.

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Vehicle Registration

Ellis County vehicles need an emissions test every year

Ellis County is in the DFW area, so most gas-powered vehicles must pass an emissions test every year before the owner can renew registration.

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