Official sources checked August 31, 2026

Union County, North Carolina septic permits and requirements

Union County Environmental Health administers the On-site Water Protection Program

Union County Environmental Health performs soil and site evaluations, issues septic permits, inspects new onsite wastewater systems, evaluates existing systems, and administers repair permitting. The county identifies its On-site Water Protection Program as the local office responsible for design, permitting, inspection, repairs, complaints, and certain existing-system inspections.

The county publishes a step-by-step septic permitting process

Applicants first apply for a soil/site evaluation. After the application is processed and the fee is paid, Union County schedules the evaluation. The evaluation is performed by an Environmental Health Specialist or Licensed Soil Scientist. If the site is approved, additional information may be requested before permits are issued. A Construction Authorization is required before septic components are installed and is also required to obtain a building permit.

New-system soil evaluations require a backhoe and trained operator

Union County requires the property owner or applicant to provide a backhoe with at least a two-foot-wide bucket and a trained operator for new-system soil/site evaluations. The county’s application guidance specifies pits at least three feet wide and 48 inches deep with a notched access step. This backhoe requirement does not apply to evaluations of an existing system for repair or expansion or when qualifying Licensed Soil Scientist documentation is submitted.

Current septic fees are detailed by permit and system type

Union County currently lists $400 for a residential Improvement Permit application and $500 for a commercial site evaluation. Construction Authorization fees are published by system type: $200 for Type IIc, $300 for Type IIIb, $450 for Type IVa, $600 for Type V, and $1,200 for Type VI. The county also lists $100 for a septic repair permit, $100 for component replacement, $125 for redesign, $125 for an existing-system compliance inspection, and $75 for a site revisit.

Repairs and existing-system projects receive separate review

For a malfunctioning system, Union County directs the homeowner or representative to request a repair evaluation; an Environmental Health Specialist or Licensed Soil Scientist visits the site and makes recommendations before the repair permit is issued. Existing-system inspections are required before new construction such as garages, decks, pools, irrigation systems, or additions on property served by septic.

Some systems have ongoing operation and maintenance inspections

Union County states that its Operation and Maintenance Program is state-mandated and sets inspection frequencies for certain system types. The county specifically identifies low-pressure pipe, pretreatment, and pump systems as examples that must be inspected and provides certified-operator resources for systems subject to the program.

Environmental Health applications have moved to the MyHD Dashboard

Union County’s current Environmental Health forms page directs applicants to the MyHD Dashboard for applications, service requests, payments, and status information. The county states that Environmental Health application submissions moved to the dashboard beginning July 1, 2025.

Official sources

• Union County Environmental Health — On-site Wastewater Disposal (Septic) Systems
• Union County Environmental Health — current fees
• Union County Environmental Health — applications and forms / MyHD Dashboard
• Union County — septic system application guidance
• NCDHHS — On-Site Wastewater Program

SepticScope summarizes public-agency information for planning purposes. The permitting agency's current instructions control if they differ from this guide.