Rural Lots Outside City Limits Need a Septic Permit

Rural land outside city sewer service areas needs its own sewage system. In Texas, these are called on-site sewage facilities, or OSSF. Most people just call them septic systems.

You must get a permit before you install or change a septic system. In Texas, OSSF permits are handled at the county level under rules set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, known as TCEQ.

Getting the permit takes several steps. First comes a site evaluation. Then the design must be approved. A licensed installer does the work. Finally, an inspector checks that it was done right.

If you skip the permit, it can cause real problems when you try to sell the property later. Contact Tom Green County or TCEQ to get current rules and a list of licensed installers in your area.