Travis County septic permit process, step by step.

Travis County is one of the more active OSSF jurisdictions in Central Texas. The county administers the TCEQ-delegated septic permitting program through Travis County Environmental Health Services. If your property is in unincorporated Travis County or in Austin’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and is not connected to a public sewer system, your OSSF permit goes through this office.

Who needs an OSSF permit in Travis County

Any property in unincorporated Travis County that is installing, replacing, or significantly modifying a septic system is required to obtain an OSSF permit. This applies to new construction, lot splits where new homes will be built, and existing properties where the system has failed or is being upgraded.

Properties within the city limits of Austin are generally served by Austin Water and are connected to the public sewer system. Rural properties on the outskirts of Austin, in Manchaca, Bee Cave, Lago Vista, and other unincorporated communities in Travis County, operate on private septic systems and fall under county jurisdiction.

The soil evaluation: Travis County requirements

Travis County requires a site and soil evaluation conducted by a TCEQ-authorized site evaluator before a permit application can be submitted. The evaluation documents soil texture, structure, drainage characteristics, and depth to any restricting layer. This data determines whether a conventional drainfield is feasible and, if so, the required size.

Travis County soil conditions vary significantly across the county. Properties in the eastern part of the county tend to have expansive clay soils (Houston Black, Austin Silty Clay) that drain slowly and may require larger drainfields or aerobic systems. Properties further west toward the Balcones Escarpment often encounter shallow limestone. Both present challenges that an experienced site evaluator and designer know how to navigate within TCEQ rules.

Permit application: what to submit

The permit application to Travis County Environmental Health Services must include:

• Completed OSSF permit application form
• Site plan drawn to scale, showing the property boundaries, structure footprint, proposed system location, and all required setbacks
• Soil evaluation report with boring logs and soil data
• Property survey or legal description with acreage
• Permit fee (approximately $700 as of 2026; confirm current fee with the county)
• Designer’s license number (TCEQ-licensed OSSF designer must seal the drawings)

Applications submitted without all required documents are returned incomplete and must be resubmitted. A TCEQ-licensed professional who regularly works with Travis County can prepare and submit the complete package the first time, which reduces processing delays.

Review timeline

Travis County Environmental Health Services reviews applications in the order received. Review times vary with workload. In periods of high permit activity, expect two to four weeks from submission to permit issuance for a complete, code-compliant application. Incomplete applications or designs requiring revision extend this timeline. Having an experienced designer who understands the county’s typical questions and formatting preferences shortens the back-and-forth significantly.

Inspections during installation

Travis County requires inspections at specific stages of the installation. You cannot cover the system before the county inspector has cleared the relevant stage.

Typically the county requires:

• Pre-cover inspection: The tank is set, the distribution system is in place, and the drainfield is open but not backfilled. The inspector verifies that what is in the ground matches the approved design.
• Final inspection: All components are installed, access lids and risers are in place, and any electrical components (aerobic systems) are operational. The inspector documents the system and issues final approval.

Scheduling inspections with the county requires advance notice; plan for a two-to-five business day lead time when your installation is ready for inspection.

After the permit closes

Once all inspections pass, Travis County closes the permit and records the approved system in its OSSF database. Keep your permit documents, site plan, and inspection reports with your home records. These are required when selling the property and are useful if the system needs service or repair years later.

For the TCEQ rules that govern all Texas counties, see the TCEQ OSSF permit guide. For properties in Hays County, see the Hays County septic permit guide.