Official sources checked August 29, 2026

Shelby County, Tennessee septic permits and requirements

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 Department is the local septic permitting office

Shelby County Health Department states that anyone proposing to construct, alter, extend, or repair a subsurface sewage disposal system in Shelby County must secure the applicable permit from its Water Quality Branch and Septic Tank Program.

The county publishes dedicated local application documents

Shelby County publishes a Septic Application, Septic Revision Form, Change of Installer form, local septic regulations, and permitting FAQs. Applicants should use the county’s current forms because Shelby is a contract county rather than assuming the application workflow used by TDEC in non-contract counties.

Pumping and other groundwater work are separately regulated

The Health Department states that businesses removing accumulated wastes from onsite systems also require the appropriate permit. The same Water Quality program separately regulates certain well work, so projects involving both onsite sewage and a well should be coordinated with that office.

Official sources

• TDEC — Septic System Construction Permit
• Shelby County Health Department — Septic Tank Permitting Process
• Shelby County Health Department — Water Quality & Septic Tank Program

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