Madison County, Tennessee septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Madison County Health — Environmental Health Section, Groundwater Program

Madison County Environmental Health / Groundwater: 100 E Main Street, Jackson, TN 38301. Septic-program questions: 731-423-3020 and follow the prompts for Environmental.

Tennessee contract-county framework

Tennessee identifies certain counties as contract counties that administer subsurface sewage disposal functions locally. SepticScope therefore uses the local county or health-department process for this guide rather than copying the ordinary TDEC field-office workflow used in non-contract counties.

County Health regulates new systems and failed-system repairs

Madison County states that its Environmental Health Section regulates permitting for new conventional onsite sewage systems and repairs to systems that have failed or are not functioning properly. The county oversees construction and grants final approval where municipal sewer is not accessible.

Application and payment are required before construction or repair

Madison County’s current septic application states that the completed permit application and applicable fee must be submitted to Environmental Health / Groundwater before construction or repair. The county directs applicants to its current Ground Water Fee Schedule for the filing amount.

Questionable soils can trigger a higher-intensity soil map

The county application explains that after soil evaluation, questionable or inadequate soils can require a high-intensity soil map. If Environmental Health requests that map, the permit process does not proceed until the required soil documentation has been received.

Septic clearance is tied to other county permits

Madison County’s building guidance states that a Health Department letter is required for septic systems before applicable county permits can be issued. The county also provides an electronic request process for existing septic drawings.

Official sources

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