How to get a septic permit in Georgia, step by stepGetting a Georgia septic permit, in order.

The state gives the County Board of Health 20 days to approve or deny a completed application. GNR Public Health, which covers Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale, plans on roughly 10 working days for plan review and its site visit. The bigger variable is soil work: a Level 3 report has to be finished before GNR reviews anything, and classifier schedules can add weeks.

Source: Georgia DPH Rules Chapter 511-3-1, On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Jan 2016)

Owners can apply, and GNR's residential application also lets a chosen septic contractor act as the owner's agent. What an owner can't do is install the system without DPH certification: Georgia Rule 511-3-1-.16 limits septic tank contractor work to people currently certified by the Department. Most owners let the certified installer handle the filing so the design and paperwork line up.

Source: GNR Residential Septic System Repair Permit Application and Requirements (Rev. 2024-05-03)

Yes. Georgia's rules say repairs, replacements and additions to existing systems must be permitted and inspected, the same as a new installation. In Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale that also means a Level 3 soil report for the repair permit. Skipping the permit can surface later as a problem at a home sale or loan closing.

Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 511-3-1 (Georgia Secretary of State rules index)

It is a detailed soil study prepared by a certified soil classifier recognized by the State of Georgia, mapping soil series and limiting layers where the system would go. GNR Public Health has required one for every new, repair and modifying-addition septic permit in Gwinnett, Newton and Rockdale since February 7, 2022. Other counties may run their own site evaluation instead.

Source: GNR Public Health — Septic Systems (Gwinnett, Newton & Rockdale)

It depends on the county. Newton's 2026 GNR schedule charges $275 for a residential site evaluation, permit and initial inspection. Walton lists $425 for a residential new-system inspection, Morgan $350 for a residential septic inspection, and DeKalb $200 for site approval plus $250 for the installation permit. Soil reports and design work are billed separately by the professionals who prepare them.

Source: GNR Environmental Health Fee Schedule — Newton County (effective Jan 1, 2026)

A construction permit stays valid for no more than 12 months after it is issued. If the installation hasn't been completed and inspected by then, expect to go back to the county Environmental Health office before work continues. Check the issue date when you schedule the build, and ask the office early if construction is running behind.

Source: Georgia DPH Rules Chapter 511-3-1, On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Jan 2016)

No. Georgia Rule 511-3-1-.03(4) prohibits backfilling or using a septic system until the County Board of Health has made a final inspection and issued written approval. The trenches, pipe and tank stay exposed until the inspector signs off. Grading or filling over the area afterward without approval can void that approval.

Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 511-3-1 (Georgia Secretary of State rules index)

Georgia sizes septic tanks by bedrooms because bedrooms predict how many people, and how much wastewater, a house will have. The minimum is 1,000 gallons for one to four bedrooms, plus 250 gallons for each bedroom beyond four, and 50% more with a garbage grinder. Adding bedrooms later without approval can void a GNR permit.

Source: Georgia DPH Rules Chapter 511-3-1, On-Site Sewage Management Systems (Jan 2016)