Septic rules in Dallas County
Before Dallas County takes a septic application, Dallas County Public Works or a city official has to sign a statement that the property isn't in the 100-year floodplain. A site that sits in the floodplain or floodway needs a system designed by an engineer. With that statement, the application goes to Dallas County Health & Human Services, Environmental Division, 2377 N Stemmons Frwy #607, Dallas, (214) 819-2112. It also needs a site evaluation by a site evaluator holding a TCEQ license, a plat or survey, and a design from a Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer.
An ET drain field calls for a recorded affidavit. Surface irrigation adds a maintenance contract. Out in an unincorporated area, Dallas County Unincorporated Area Services says any development activity, an on site sewerage facility included, needs a permit; it answers at 214-653-6568 and Development@DallasCounty.org. The county's application form, a revision dated 2020-12-01, lists $260.00 for a residence and $310.00 for a commercial property. It's paid to Dallas County Health and Human Services by check, money order or exact cash, because the form says no debit or credit card. A form that old may not carry today's amount, so confirm the fee with the Environmental Division before you bring the check.
The county's rules, line by line
- Who permits septic systems
- Dallas County Health & Human Services, Environmental Division, 2377 N Stemmons Frwy #607, Dallas, (214) 819-2112. Unincorporated areas: Dallas County Unincorporated Area Services (DUAS), 214-653-6568, Development@DallasCounty.org.
- Inspection at sale
- No rule found in the county's published code. The county's septic pages state no inspection rule for a sale or transfer.
- Permit steps
- Statement from Dallas County Public Works or a city official that the property is not in the 100-year floodplain (a floodplain or floodway site must be engineer-designed); site evaluation by a site evaluator holding a TCEQ license; plat or survey; OSSF design by a Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer. ET drain fields need a recorded affidavit; surface irrigation systems need a maintenance contract and a recorded affidavit.
- Still to confirm with the county
- Payment by check, money order or exact cash; no debit or credit card per the form. The form is the 2020-12-01 revision, so the amounts may be out of date.
Septic fees in Dallas County
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| OSSF permit application, residence | $260.00 | Form revision 2020-12-01; may be out of date |
| OSSF permit application, commercial | $310.00 | Form revision 2020-12-01; may be out of date |
Rules and fees change every year, so confirm a line with Dallas County Health & Human Services before you rely on it. "No rule found" means the pages and code we have say nothing on that line, which isn't the same as the county telling you there's no rule. To compare counties, use the county rules lookup.
What septic work costs
These are statewide Texas estimates from our model, so they aren't Dallas County prices; where the county posts its own permit fees, they are on this page.
| Job | Estimated range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Septic pumping | $300 to $600 | per visit |
| Septic inspection | $110 to $455 | per inspection |
| Drain field | $690 to $4,650 | per repair |
These are estimates, not quotes. How we estimate costs.