Montgomery County, Texas septic permits and requirements

Permitting authority

Montgomery County Environmental Health Services / Permit Department — OSSF permitting

Montgomery County Permit Department / Environmental Health Services, 501 N. Thompson, Suite 100, Conroe, TX 77301; 936-539-7836.

Texas permitting framework

Texas requires applicants to work with the local permitting authority where an authorized local OSSF program exists. TCEQ notes that local programs can be more stringent than statewide minimums, so county-specific procedures control within the county program’s jurisdiction.

Site evaluation and soil analysis before design

Montgomery County requires a site evaluation including soil analysis in the proposed system area before a new septic system is installed. The county guidance identifies a registered site evaluator for the evaluation and requires the system design to be prepared by a registered sanitarian or professional engineer under applicable TCEQ criteria.

County reviews floodplain status

The county requires applicants to obtain the property floodplain status as part of the septic-permit process and states that it will not issue a septic permit for a system located within the regulatory floodway.

Detailed new-system permit package

The county new-system checklist calls for the completed application, legal description, signed floor plans showing bedrooms/restrooms and square footage, required system design materials, applicable affidavits, and other property-specific documents. Aerobic systems require an affidavit to the public filed with the County Clerk.

Existing-system reviews require verification

For projects relying on an existing conventional septic system, Montgomery County’s checklist requires a septic verification letter from a registered sanitarian or engineer stating that the existing system is functioning and adequately sized for the proposed home, along with a site plan showing the structure, septic system, and well when applicable.

Do not cover or use the system before county approval

Montgomery County’s published process is structured around authorization to construct and a Notice of Approval for operation and use. Applicants should follow the county inspection/approval sequence and avoid treating installation alone as permission to operate the system.

Official sources

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