Georgia Septic Regulations: What Homeowners Need to Know

Sourced from Georgia DPH Chapter 511-3-1 (effective January 1, 2016), the Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems (March 2026 edition, 283 pages), and GA Rules and Regulations — last checked July 2026.

How State and County Rules Fit Together

DPH writes the rules. Your county Board of Health, operating within one of Georgia’s 18 health districts, issues permits, conducts inspections, and enforces compliance. Counties can impose additional requirements beyond the state minimums — and many do.

State EH contact: (404) 657-6534. Full program information and current forms are published by Georgia DPH Environmental Health.

Key Requirements

Permit required before installing, modifying, or repairing any septic system (511-3-1-.03). No homeowner exemption for DIY work.

Permits valid 12 months from date of issue (511-3-1-.03(3)).

Two-compartment tanks with effluent filter required for all residential installations after February 20, 2000 (511-3-1-.05).

Minimum tank size: 1,000 gallons for residential systems.

Certified contractors only for install, pump, inspect, and maintain (511-3-1-.16).

Level 3 soil report by a Georgia Certified Soil Classifier required before new-construction permits statewide. In the GNR Health District (Gwinnett, Newton, Rockdale), this has been required for all permits — including repairs — since February 7, 2022.

Two mandatory inspections: pre-construction site verification + final construction before backfill.

Setback Distances

Lot Size Minimums

Minimum lot width: 100 feet (public water) or 150 feet (private well). County Boards of Health and zoning authorities may require larger minimums.

System Abandonment

When a septic system is permanently discontinued, the tank must be pumped out by a certified pumper and filled with sand, soil, or rock to prevent collapse — or removed entirely (511-3-1-.05(5)).