Septic Tank Inspectors in Georgia

Cities in Georgia

Georgia Septic Regulations

Georgia septic systems are regulated by the Department of Public Health (DPH) through county environmental health offices under the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems. Permits are required for the installation, alteration, and repair of onsite sewage management systems. Time-of-transfer inspections are not mandated statewide, though lenders may require one.

• Onsite sewage permits are issued by county environmental health offices under DPH authority and require a site evaluation and soil analysis.
• Georgia requires licensed installers and certified soil scientists for onsite sewage system installation and major repairs.
• DPH rules establish minimum setback distances from wells, surface waters, marshes, and property lines for all onsite sewage systems.
• Georgia does not mandate a statewide time-of-transfer septic inspection, though coastal counties may have stricter requirements for properties near tidal waters.
• Systems must be designed to meet DPH standards based on site and soil conditions, with special attention to high water tables in coastal Georgia.
• County environmental health offices maintain records of permitted systems — contact the local health department for records before purchasing property.

Source: Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) / County Environmental Health