General Requirements for an OSSF

If public sewer service is available, a property owner must connect to the public sewer.  If no public sewer is available, the property owner must obtain a permit to construct, alter, repair, extend, or operate an OSSF, unless the OSSF was installed before the effective date of the order, ordinance, or resolution in areas where the local governmental entity had an approved order, ordinance, or resolution dated before September 1, 1989.

Overview of Permits & Licensing Processes

If an OSSF system is required to be installed or if ownership of an OSSF is transferred, a Permit to Construct must be obtained first. Then, once the Permit to Construct requirements have been met, a License to Operate will be issued to the property owner.

Standard Process for New Permit to Construct

If a property owner is unable to connect to an existing sewer system and is required to install a septic system, a Permit to Construct must be obtained. 

Although the Authority can usually complete this process within a matter of days, Texas State Law allows the Authorized Agent up to 30 days to issue the Permit to Construct the OSSF. A property owner (or building contractor) should follow the steps below to obtain a Permit to Construct:

  1. A site evaluation must be performed by a TCEQ licensed Site Evaluator to determine if the property is suitable for a conventional system or if an aerobic system will be required.
  2. A site design must then be drafted by a registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer and submitted to the Authority for approval.
  3. If an aerobic system is required, two affidavits to the public must be completed and notarized, with the volume and page number printed on the front. One affidavit must be filed at the County Clerk’s Office of the county where the property is located, and the second affidavit must be filed at the Authority with the application.
  4. An application packet must be submitted to the Authority, which includes:
    1. A completed Permit to Construct an OSSF application
    2. Appropriate fee (please see Fee Schedule on the OSSF Overview Page)
    3. Originals of all forms, including the site evaluation, site design, affidavit to the public, and aerobic treatment systems information sheet
Download New Permit Application

Once this process has been approved and completed, the Authority will issue a Permit to Construct. The Permit is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance.

The property owner will then be ready to get bids from licensed Installers and/or begin construction. After construction, the next step is to obtain a License to Operate.

Standard Process for New License to Operate

  1. After construction, the Installer must contact the Authority for a closing inspection within five days of installation. *The Installer must request an inspection with an Authority Authorized Agent at least five working days (Monday through Friday, excluding holidays) before the date the OSSF will be ready for inspection.
  2. Once the system is installed and the Authority Authorized Agent has performed an inspection, a License to Operate an OSSF will be issued to the property owner and a copy will be kept on file at the Authority.

*If the Installer does not request a construction inspection by the permitting authority within one year of the issuance of the Permit to Construct, the authorization for construction of the OSSF expires and the property owner will be required to submit a new application and application fee before an OSSF can be installed.

Additional Requirements for Aerobic System Owners

To prevent health hazards to your household and to the environment, if you are required to install an aerobic system, the following additional responsibilities apply:

  1. The state requires an active service contract with a licensed professional for the life of an aerobic system, as well as annual testing of the system, unless the property owner is eligible for the “Single Family Residential” exemption.
  2. If you are eligible for the exemption, you are still required to have a service contract for the first two years that you operate the system. The installer is required to complete an inspection of the system every four months.
  3. The Authority highly recommends that aerobic system operators maintain a service contract with an authorized maintenance provider for the life of the system. A property owner can elect to maintain the system after the two-year maintenance contract has expired, but will need to personally conduct inspections and send reports to the Authority.

If the system is not maintained in accordance with state standards and becomes a health hazard, your License to Operate may be revoked and/or you may be subject to fines if a complaint if filed against you. Operating an aerobic system without a valid license is illegal and appropriate legal action will be taken to enforce compliance. The responsibility to meet all requirements for licensing lies solely with the owner/operator of the system.

Transfer Permits & Licensing

Texas State Law designates that an OSSF is real property and when a property deed transfers to a new owner, the license also transfers to the new owner; however, a Transfer Permit must be obtained. Unlicensed systems cannot be transferred. 

Standard Process for Transfer Permit & License to Operate

If a property owner needs to transfer ownership of an OSSF, a formal license transfer must be completed, using the following steps: 

  1. Submit a completed license transfer application to the Authority.
  2. Submit a $35.00 license transfer fee to the Authority.
OSFF Transfer Application

Additional Responsibilities for Aerobic System Operators

To prevent health hazards to your household and to the environment, if you acquire an aerobic system through a transfer, the following additional responsibilities apply:

  1. It is highly recommended, but not required, that the original manufacture/dealer of the aerobic system be contacted to complete an inspection of all components of the system and service policy update. After the satisfactory completion of the inspection, copies of the report should be provided to the Authority.
  2. The system should be covered under a maintenance/service policy for the first two years of operation.

Once these steps have been completed, the Authority will issue a License to Operate to the new owner and it will be kept on file at the Authority.

The Authority highly recommends that aerobic system operators maintain a service contract with an authorized maintenance provider for the life of the system.  A property owner can elect to maintain the system after the two-year maintenance contract has expired, but will need to personally conduct inspections and send reports to the Authority.

If the system is not maintained in accordance with state standards and becomes a health hazard, your License to Operate may be revoked and/or you may be subject to fines if a complaint is filed against you. Operating an aerobic system without a valid license is illegal and appropriate legal action will be taken to enforce compliance. The responsibility to meet all requirements for licensing lies solely with the owner/operator of the system.

General OSSF Maintenance

Like most components of your home, septic systems require routine maintenance. If maintained, the septic system should provide reliable service for many years. If the septic system isn’t maintained, owners run the risk of dangerous and costly failures. Septic systems have an operational lifetime and will eventually need to be replaced.

A responsible septic owner is alert to the signs of septic system malfunction and failure, regardless of the age of the system, and responds quickly when signs are observed. A quick response may save the owner money in repairs and may prevent illness and negative impact on human and animal health, as well as the environment.

If the system is not maintained in proper working condition in accordance with state standards and becomes a health hazard, your License to Operate may be revoked and/or you may be subject to fines if a complaint if filed against you. Operating an aerobic system without a valid license is illegal and appropriate legal action will be taken to enforce compliance. The responsibility to meet all requirements for licensing lies solely with the owner/operator of the system.

Signs of Septic System Malfunction or Failure

  1. Water and sewage from toilets, drains, and sinks back up into the home
  2. Bathtubs, showers, and sinks drain very slowly
  3. Gurgling sounds are heard in the plumbing system
  4. Standing water or damp spots are present near the septic tank or drainfield
  5. Bad odors are present around the septic tank or drainfield
  6. Bright green, spongy lush grass is observed over the septic tank or drainfield, even in dry weather
  7. Algal blooms are present in nearby ponds or lakes
  8. High levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria are present in water wells