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Where to find perc test & septic records by county

The office that holds soil evaluations and septic permits varies by state and county. Here’s who to contact across the counties LandCheck covers — and what to ask.

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Direct answer

TX: county OSSF authority · TN: TDEC field office · NC: county environmental health

Perc test and septic records live with different offices depending on the state. In Texas, ask the county OSSF authority (under TCEQ). In Tennessee, the TDEC environmental field office. In North Carolina, the county environmental health department. Ask each whether a soil evaluation or septic permit is on file for the parcel ID — before you trust a "perc tested" listing.

LandCheck covers 42 counties across these three states. The offices and questions below apply parcel by parcel.

General guidance for the counties in launch coverage. Confirm the current office and process for your specific parcel.

By state

Who holds the records

North Carolina

Who to ask: County Environmental Health (Health Department); licensed soil scientist for evaluations.

Typical cost: $150–$900

Reference: NC DHHS on-site water protection

Covered counties (12): Alleghany County, Ashe County, Buncombe County, Burke County, Caldwell County, Haywood County, Henderson County, Jackson County, Macon County, Mitchell County, Transylvania County, Watauga County

Tennessee

Who to ask: TDEC Environmental Field Office or licensed soil scientist / installer.

Typical cost: $150–$800

Reference: TDEC subsurface sewage disposal

Covered counties (12): Blount County, Cannon County, Cocke County, Coffee County, Cumberland County, Maury County, Putnam County, Roane County, Rutherford County, Sevier County, Warren County, Williamson County

Texas

Who to ask: Licensed OSSF site evaluator or PE; reviewed by the county/authorized agent under TCEQ rules.

Typical cost: $200–$1,000

Reference: TCEQ OSSF program

Covered counties (18): Bandera County, Bastrop County, Blanco County, Bosque County, Brewster County, Burnet County, Comal County, Culberson County, Gillespie County, Hays County, Hill County, Hudspeth County, Kendall County, Kerr County, Llano County, Presidio County, Terrell County, Williamson County

The question to ask

What to say when you call

"I\u2019m looking at parcel [ID] in [county]. Is there a soil/site evaluation or septic permit on record for it, is it still valid, and what system was approved?"

If the answer is "nothing on file," then "perc tested" in the listing is unverified — and worth confirming before you make an offer.

Before you trust 'perc tested'

Have the septic and soil questions pulled for your parcel

A Parcel Pre-Screen Report checks the septic/soil record path for your specific parcel and organizes what to ask the county — with source paths — so a listing claim gets verified before you buy.

Order a Parcel Pre-Screen · $149 Perc test cost by state

FAQ

Where do I find perc test or septic records for a county?

The office varies by state: in Texas it’s the county OSSF authority under TCEQ, in Tennessee the TDEC environmental field office, and in North Carolina the county environmental health department. Start with that office and ask whether a soil evaluation or septic permit is on file for the parcel ID.

Is a perc test the same as a septic permit?

No. A perc or soil evaluation assesses whether the soil can handle a septic system; the septic permit authorizes a specific system. A listing that says "perc tested" may have neither on file — confirm with the county which, if any, exists for the parcel.

How much does a perc test cost?

A soil/site evaluation typically runs $150–$1,500 depending on the state and method. See the perc test cost guide for state-by-state ranges.

Related

What Before You Buy Land is

  • A source-cited parcel pre-screen that organizes public-source signals — access, septic/perc records, flood, wetlands, soils, slope, utilities, restrictions, and local authority paths — into plain-English buyer questions.
  • A first-pass screening tool that helps rural land buyers in Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina decide what to verify before they make an offer.

What it is not

  • Not legal advice, a survey, title opinion, engineering review, or appraisal.
  • Not a septic, permit, zoning, or county approval — and not a guarantee that land is buildable.
  • Not a replacement for county confirmation or a licensed professional. It points you to the right office and question.

Reviewed by the Before You Buy Land research team.