How to Get a Septic Permit in Comal County, Texas

If you're building a home outside city sewer service in Comal County, around Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake, or the rural parts of New Braunfels, you'll need an approved septic system before the house can be lived in. Texas calls these on-site sewage facilities, or OSSFs. This guide walks through the permit steps as Comal County describes them, so you know who does what and what to expect.

Who Issues the Permit

Comal County's Environmental Health Department, part of the County Engineer's Office, reviews septic designs and issues OSSF permits for the county under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules. The county states that a permit is required before building, altering, extending, or operating a septic system, and before making non-emergency repairs to one. Its Environmental Health page also lists interlocal agreements with several cities, including Bulverde, Spring Branch, and Fair Oaks Ranch. If your lot is inside a city, confirm with the county office which agency handles your permit.

The Steps, in Order

1. Site and soil evaluation. A qualified site evaluator studies the soil and the lot and maps things that need setback distances, like wells, property lines, and the house.
2. Choose the system type. The soil and site results decide what can work. In the Hill Country, thin soil and rock often point toward an aerobic system with spray dispersal instead of a standard drain field.
3. Design the system. Installers can usually plan standard systems. More complex ones, such as surface spray (aerobic), low-pressure dosing, and mounds, need a design from a registered professional engineer (PE) or registered sanitarian (RS). A PE or RS is also required for smaller lots served by a private well (under 1 acre) or public water (under half an acre) platted after January 1, 1988, for any system in the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone, and when a variance is needed.
4. Submit the application. The application and design go in under the property owner's name, through the county's online permit portal or on its paper form, with the checklist and supporting documents such as the recorded deed.
5. County review. Staff review the application, soil report, and design, and may visit the site.
6. Authorization to construct. No work starts until the county issues this. It can be held up by missing information, a needed floodplain development permit, or subdivision rule problems.
7. Construction. A TCEQ-licensed installer builds the system to the approved plans. Changes must be approved first.
8. Inspections. Comal County says three inspections are required during installation, scheduled at least 24 hours ahead. If the system fails or isn't ready, the installer owes a $150 re-inspection fee.
9. License to operate. After passing inspections, the county issues the license to operate, which is required before the system is used.

What It Costs in County Fees

Comal County's posted fee schedule (effective January 1, 2019) lists a $300 permit for systems under 500 gallons per day and $500 for larger systems, plus a $10 state research council fee. Those are only the county's fees. The site evaluation, design, and installation are paid separately to the professionals you hire, and those prices vary widely by lot and system type. Check the county's current fee sheet before you apply, since fees can change.

If You Have an Aerobic System

Most new Hill Country systems are aerobic. Under TCEQ rules, a new aerobic system needs a signed two-year initial service policy before the county approves it for use. After that, you either keep a maintenance contract with a licensed provider or, for a single-family home, maintain it yourself under Comal County's homeowner-maintenance rules. See our aerobic maintenance page for details.

Tips Before You Start

• Start the septic process early. The soil evaluation and design come before the application, and construction can't start until the permit is approved.
• Plan the well and septic together. If you're also drilling a well, the septic system and well have required separation distances, so site them at the same time.
• Keep copies of everything. The permit, design, and license to operate matter when you sell the home later.

FAQ

Do I need a permit to repair my septic system in Comal County? The county says a permit is required before non-emergency repairs. Call the Engineer's Office at 830-608-2090 to confirm what your repair needs.

Can I design my own septic system? For some standard systems, homeowners can plan with help from the county. Complex systems, such as aerobic spray systems, need a PE or RS design.

Who can install it? A TCEQ-licensed OSSF installer. The license level required depends on the system type.

How long does it take? It depends on the evaluator, designer, county review, and installer schedules. Ask each one for their current timeline.

Get Matched With a Local Septic Installer

Need a site evaluation, design, or installation for a new home in Comal County? Request a free quote and we'll pass your request to an independent local septic professional who serves your area.

Source: Comal County Engineer's Office, "Steps to Obtain an OSSF Permit," Environmental Health Department fee schedule, and TCEQ OSSF rules (30 TAC Chapter 285). This page is general information, not legal or engineering advice.