Septic permits in East Texas: who issues them and when you need one
General information from TCEQ, not legal advice. Local programs can be stricter than state minimums, so always confirm with your permitting authority.
When is a permit required?
In Texas a permit and an approved plan are required to construct, install, alter, extend, repair or operate an on-site sewage facility (OSSF), which includes septic systems and holding tanks. The permitting authority must approve or deny the application and planning materials within 30 days of receiving them. If it denies them, it must explain why in writing, and you can appeal to its supervising body, such as the Commissioners Court or City Council. (TCEQ: Getting a permit for an OSSF)
The 10 acre rule
A system may be exempt from permitting if it still meets all the design and installation standards in 30 TAC 285 and all of these are true:
- A TCEQ licensed site evaluator or a professional engineer did a site evaluation.
- It serves a single family home on a tract of 10 acres or more, and that home is the only dwelling on the tract.
- It is not causing a nuisance or polluting groundwater.
- Every part of the system is at least 100 feet from the property line.
- The effluent is disposed of on the property.
Some local programs still require a permit, so check before you rely on this.
Grandfathered systems
An older system with no permit might not need one if it was installed before the local program was authorized or before September 1, 1989 (whichever is earlier), is not creating a nuisance, does not need repair, and has not been altered or had a significant increase in use. Confirm with your permitting authority. Buyers should read our septic inspection checklist.
Emergency repairs
No permit is needed for emergency repairs such as replacing tank lids or inlet and outlet devices, fixing risers and riser caps, repairing or replacing disinfection devices, or repairing damaged drip tubing or solid lines. You must report them in writing to the permitting authority within 72 hours after the repair starts (30 TAC 285.35).
Can I install my own septic system?
Only if your local permitting authority allows it, and only for a single family home you own, on property you own, where no part will be developed for sale or lease, and you meet every permitting, construction and maintenance requirement. Anyone who helps, such as running the backhoe or trenching, must be a licensed installer of the right level. The exceptions are a licensed electrician doing electrical work and a person delivering and setting the tanks.
Who issues septic permits in each East Texas county
TCEQ delegates permitting to local "authorized agents." If more than one agent covers your county, TCEQ says to check in this order: if your subdivision has property within 2,000 feet of a listed lake, contact the lake's agent; if you are inside a listed city, contact the city; otherwise contact the county. Source: TCEQ local contact search, checked November 1, 2026. All eight counties are in TCEQ Region 5 (Tyler).
Smith County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Smith County | Unincorporated county, plus the cities of Hideaway and Tyler and the Smith County side of the Town of Bullard |
| City of Noonday | City limits |
| Upper Neches River MWA (Lake Palestine) | Lake Palestine Water Quality Zone, within 525 ft of the 355 msl take line |
Smith County's OSSF program is run by its contractor RTS Environmental LLC, 903-630-4234, per the Smith County OSSF page. The county says that if an installer tells you a permit is not needed, you should call RTS to verify.
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Smith County
Wood County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Wood County | Unincorporated county |
| Sabine River Authority (Lake Fork) | Within 2,000 ft of the Lake Fork Reservoir project boundary |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Wood County
Van Zandt County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Van Zandt County | Unincorporated county, plus the City of Canton |
| Sabine River Authority (Lake Tawakoni) | Within 2,000 ft of the Lake Tawakoni Reservoir project boundary |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Van Zandt County
Cherokee County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Cherokee County | Unincorporated county, plus the City of New Summerfield |
| City of Jacksonville | City limits |
| Upper Neches River MWA (Lake Palestine) | Lake Palestine Water Quality Zone, within 525 ft of the 355 msl take line |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Cherokee County
Henderson County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Henderson County | Unincorporated county |
| City of Athens | City limits |
| Tarrant Regional Water District (Cedar Creek Reservoir) | Within 2,000 ft of the Cedar Creek Reservoir flood pool |
| Upper Neches River MWA (Lake Palestine) | Lake Palestine Water Quality Zone, within 525 ft of the 355 msl take line |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Henderson County
Gregg County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Gregg County | Unincorporated county, plus Clarksville City, Gladewater, Lakeport, Warren City, and Longview (temporarily) |
| City of Longview | City limits (temporarily administered by Gregg County) |
| City of Clarksville City | City limits (administered by Gregg County) |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Gregg County
Upshur County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Upshur County | Unincorporated county |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Upshur County
Rusk County
| Authorized agent | Area served |
|---|---|
| Rusk County | Unincorporated county, plus the cities of Mt. Enterprise and New London |
Licensed septic installers, site evaluators and maintenance providers in Rusk County
Where to start
Most projects start with a site evaluation by a licensed site evaluator or professional engineer, which includes a survey of the lot and a soil analysis in the proposed disposal area. Your installer usually handles the permit application with that design. Find licensed people in your county with our directory, and verify any license with TCEQ's license search.
Rules: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 366 and 30 TAC Chapter 285.