Homes outside city limits need a permitted septic system

Outside city limits, most homes handle their own sewage with a septic system. The official name is an on-site sewage facility, or OSSF. You must get a permit before you build, change, or repair one. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) runs this program across the state.

County or local governments can act as authorized OSSF agents in their area. If you are buying rural land, ask whether any existing septic system is properly permitted and still working well. A system that was never permitted — or one that is failing — can cost a lot to fix. It can also hold up or kill a sale. Check the TCEQ website for permit rules and to find the local authorized agent.