What Septic System Permits Do I Need to Install a Septic System in Metro Atlanta Counties?

We have pulled septic system permits across all 9 metro Atlanta counties for over 13 years. Most homeowners have never done it before. They do not know where to start. This guide walks you through every step, with real permit fees for each county. If you want us to handle it, our septic installation team in Atlanta manages the full process. You never have to visit a county office. Browse our septic blog for more guides like this one.

Which government agency issues septic installation permits in each metro Atlanta county?

Your county Board of Health issues the septic system permit. Not the city. Not the state. The county Environmental Health division handles everything.

Every metro Atlanta county has its own office and its own fee schedule. We deal with all 9 regularly. Here is what you pay as a government fee at each one:

These are government fees paid to the county health department. They are separate from our septic installation cost. Fulton County has the highest permit fees in metro Atlanta. We wrote a full breakdown of that process in our guide to septic permits in Fulton County.

If you are in Cobb County or Gwinnett County, the permit fees are lower. But the red clay soil often means the county requires an engineered design. That adds time.

What paperwork do I need before my septic permit is approved?

The county wants five things before they approve a septic system permit. Miss one and your application sits.

• Completed permit application form (each county has its own)
• Level 3 soil survey from a DPH-certified soil classifier
• Site plan showing the proposed tank, drainfield, setbacks, property lines
• Recorded plat of your property
• Floor plan or bedroom count (the county uses this to size the system)

The soil survey is the biggest piece. Without it, the county will not start reviewing your application. A certified soil classifier performs this test. Not your septic contractor. It costs $400 to $800 as a third-party fee. We break down those costs county by county in our guide to perc test costs across metro Atlanta.

If your soil will not support a standard drainfield, you also need stamped engineering drawings. Our septic system engineering page covers the four system types that work on difficult soil.

A few weeks ago we pulled a permit in Forsyth County for a 1,500-gallon tank. The soil had failed the standard perc test. The county required an engineered mound system, which added about two weeks to approval.

How long does it take to get a septic installation permit in Cobb Gwinnett Fulton or DeKalb County?

Georgia law requires the county Board of Health to respond within 20 days of receiving a complete application. That is the legal maximum. Some counties move faster. Some do not.

Cobb County typically processes a septic system permit in 10 to 15 business days. Gwinnett runs about the same. DeKalb often takes the full 20 days. Properties in older neighborhoods like Stone Mountain and Tucker add time because the county verifies setback distances on smaller lots.

Fulton County is the slowest. We have waited up to 30 business days on complex applications for homes in Sandy Springs septic repair territory and other parts of Fulton County. Fulton has stricter review standards and higher application volume than any other metro Atlanta county.

The biggest cause of delays is incomplete applications. If you submit without the soil report or site plan, the 20-day clock does not start. We see this when homeowners try to file on their own. A licensed contractor knows what each county needs. That is why we recommend having one handle the application. If you have questions about what the county checks during the process, our guide to how long a septic inspection takes in Georgia covers the inspection side of the timeline.

Do I need a soil test before applying for a septic permit in metro Atlanta?

Yes. A Level 3 soil survey is required before the county will accept your septic system permit application. No exceptions.

A DPH-certified soil classifier performs this test. They dig test pits on your property, usually 4 to 6 feet deep. They check how fast water drains through the soil. They look for a high water table. They determine which drainfield type your land can support.

The soil survey costs $400 to $800. This is a third-party fee paid to the soil classifier, not to us. In Gwinnett and Forsyth County, the red clay makes these tests especially important. Many properties there cannot support a standard drainfield.

If your soil fails the perc test, you still have options. Our guide to failed perc test alternatives covers the four engineered systems that work on land that will not perc.

We coordinate the soil test for you. When you call us about a new septic installation in Atlanta, the soil test is one of the first things we schedule. You do not need to find a classifier on your own.

What happens if I install a septic system without a permit in metro Atlanta?

Installing a septic system without a permit is illegal in Georgia. The consequences are serious and expensive.

The county Board of Health can order you to stop using the system. They can require you to remove it at your own cost. That means digging up everything you just installed and starting over with a permitted design. We have seen this happen in Marietta and in Gwinnett County where homeowners hired unlicensed contractors who skipped the permit.

The county can also fine the property owner. The amount varies, but it adds up fast on top of the removal cost.

The other problem shows up later. When you sell the home, the unpermitted system will not pass a septic inspection in Atlanta. Most lenders require a passing inspection before closing. An unpermitted system can kill a real estate deal. We cover that process in our guide to septic inspections before buying a home in Georgia.

Georgia’s Department of Public Health on-site sewage program says it plainly: no person may begin physical development of a lot or install a system without first getting a construction permit from the county.

Can a licensed septic contractor pull the permit for me?

Yes. In Georgia, a licensed septic contractor can pull the permit on your behalf. You do not need to visit the county office.

We handle the entire septic system permit process for every installation we do. We coordinate the soil test with a certified classifier. We prepare the site plan and system design. We fill out the county application, submit it, and follow up until it is approved. The homeowner does not touch any paperwork.

We do this across all 9 metro Atlanta counties. Each county has different forms and requirements. We know them all because we file permits every month. A homeowner filing for the first time usually misses something. That delays the application. We make sure the package is complete before it goes in, so the 20-day review clock starts right away.

Once the permit is approved, we handle the full septic installation and schedule county inspections before backfilling. We also keep the soil testing and permitting records clean for any future sale.

After your system is installed and permitted, keeping it healthy comes down to regular maintenance. Our septic maintenance tips for Georgia homeowners covers the pumping and inspection schedule that protects your investment.

When should I call about a septic system permit right away?

Some situations need action now. Others can wait a week.

Call today if:

• You are closing on land and need a septic system permit before building starts
• Your existing system has failed and the county ordered you to replace it
• You have a building permit deadline and need septic approval first
• Your old system is backing up and you need septic repair in Atlanta while planning the replacement

Can wait 1 to 2 weeks if:

• You are planning a new build and have not purchased the land yet
• You want to compare costs before committing to a drainfield installation in Atlanta

If you are comparing providers for ongoing care, our guide to choosing a septic pumping company in Atlanta covers what to look for. Regular pumping keeps your permitted system running for decades. Our septic pumping in Atlanta starts at $575.

Frequently asked questions about septic system permits in metro Atlanta

How much does a septic system permit cost in metro Atlanta?

County permit fees range from $150 in Rockdale County to $1,000 or more in Fulton County. This is a government fee paid to the county Board of Health. Not a contractor fee. Gwinnett and DeKalb County permits run $300 to $600. Call us at 404-694-3060 for the exact fee in your county.

Is a soil test required before getting a septic permit in Georgia?

Yes. A Level 3 soil survey is required before the county accepts your application. A DPH-certified soil classifier does the test. It costs $400 to $800 as a third-party fee. We coordinate the soil testing and septic permit process for you.

Can I install a septic system without a permit in Georgia?

No. It is illegal. The county can order removal, fine the property owner, and the work will not pass inspection for resale. If your system has signs it needs replacement, call us first. We handle the permit before any work starts.

Will my septic contractor handle the permit process for me?

Yes. A licensed contractor can pull the septic system permit for you in Georgia. We handle soil test coordination, application prep, and submission to the county. You do not need to visit the county office. Call our septic installation team in Atlanta to get started.

How long is a septic installation permit valid in Georgia?

A septic system permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. If construction is not finished within 12 months, you need a new permit. County fees apply again. We typically complete installations within 2 to 6 weeks of approval.

Do I need a separate permit for the drainfield and the tank?

No. One septic system construction permit covers both the tank and drainfield installation. The permit specifies tank size, drainfield layout, and system type. The county inspects both before backfilling.