Septic / OSSF
You Need a Permit Before Installing a Septic System
Texas requires a permit for any septic system (called an OSSF). In unincorporated Anderson County, the county handles the permit process. Do not build before you apply.
Any home or building not connected to a public sewer needs its own sewage system. In Texas, this is called an on-site sewage facility, or OSSF. Most people call it a septic system. Texas law says you must get a permit before you build, change, repair, add onto, or run an OSSF. Skipping the permit can lead to fines and a requirement to redo the work.
In unincorporated Anderson County — meaning outside city limits — the county's emergency management and OSSF office handles permits. A licensed site evaluator must check your soil first. A licensed installer must do the actual work. The type of system you need depends on your lot size, soil type, and how close you are to water.
TCEQ rules under 30 TAC Chapter 285 set minimum separation distances between a well and a septic system. The required distance depends on the type of system and site conditions. If you are buying rural land that already has a septic system, ask for the permit record. Make sure the system was installed legally before you close. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) sets the statewide rules for OSSFs.
Source to confirm: TCEQ — On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF)