Penalty for Illegal Septic System in Georgia

A septic system must follow strict regulations in Georgia. Failing to comply can lead to fines, legal consequences, and environmental hazards. The penalty for illegal septic system in Georgia varies based on the severity of the violation. Understanding Georgia’s septic laws helps homeowners and contractors avoid costly mistakes. This article covers penalties, legal requirements, common violations, and how to ensure compliance.

Table of Content

• What Constitutes an Illegal Septic System in Georgia?
• Penalties for Illegal Septic Systems in Georgia
• Georgia Septic Regulations & Compliance Requirements
• Common Violations and How to Avoid Them
• What to Do If You Have an Illegal Septic System
• Helpful Contacts & Resources
• Septifix
• Septic Permit Links by State
• Septic Permit Forms By State

What Constitutes an Illegal Septic System in Georgia?

An illegal septic system is any onsite sewage management system that does not meet state or local requirements. Common violations include:

• Unpermitted installations – Constructing a private septic system without a permit.
• Improper placement – Installing a system too close to water sources or property lines.
• Unapproved modifications – Expanding or altering a system without proper authorization.
• Failing systems – Leaking or overflowing onsite wastewater treatment systems.
• Bypassing treatment – Directly discharging wastewater onto land or into waterways.

Local health departments enforce Georgia’s septic regulations to protect public health and prevent environmental contamination.

Penalties for Illegal Septic Systems in Georgia

The penalties for illegal septic systems vary by county but may include:

• Fines – Homeowners can face fines ranging from $100 to $1,000 per violation.
• Legal action – Severe cases can lead to misdemeanor charges or lawsuits.
• System removal – Homeowners may be required to replace or remove non-compliant systems.
• Property sale restrictions – Selling a home with an illegal onsite wastewater disposal system can delay or block the transaction.
• Increased repair costs – Fixing an illegal system often costs more than a properly installed system.

Georgia Septic Regulations & Compliance Requirements

Georgia follows state and local regulations for septic system installations and maintenance. Key requirements include:

• Permit approval – A permit is required before installing or modifying a septic system.
• Soil and site evaluation – A licensed professional must inspect soil conditions before installation.
• Regular maintenance – Routine inspections and pumping are required to keep systems functional.
• Property transfer inspections – Some counties require inspections before selling a home with a sewage disposal system.

Local county health departments oversee these regulations and ensure compliance.

Common Violations and How to Avoid Them

Many homeowners unknowingly violate septic laws. Here are common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Installing without a permit – Always obtain the necessary permits before installation.
• Using an undersized system – Ensure the system is designed for the property’s wastewater output.
• Skipping maintenance – Have a professional inspect and pump the system every 3–5 years.
• Ignoring drainage issues – Fix leaks, pooling water, or slow drains immediately.
• Selling a home with a non-compliant system – Ensure compliance before listing the property.

What to Do If You Have an Illegal Septic System

If you discover your private septic system is illegal, take action immediately:

1. Contact your local health department – They provide guidance on necessary corrections.
2. Hire a licensed septic contractor – A professional can assess and repair non-compliant systems.
3. Apply for the proper permits – If required, obtain approval to bring the system into compliance.
4. Upgrade or replace the system – If repairs are insufficient, a new onsite wastewater disposal system may be needed.
5. Document all work – Keep records of inspections, repairs, and permits for future reference.

Helpful Contacts & Resources

For more information on septic system regulations in Georgia, consider these resources:

• Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) – https://dph.georgia.gov/
• Local County Health Departments – Contact your county’s environmental health office.
• Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) – https://epd.georgia.gov/
• Georgia Onsite Wastewater Association (GOWA) – Offers guidance on system maintenance and compliance.
• Licensed Septic Contractors – Find a certified professional through Georgia’s DPH website.

Conclusion

The penalty for illegal septic system in Georgia can be costly and legally challenging. Avoid fines and legal trouble by ensuring your onsite wastewater treatment system meets state and local regulations. If you suspect non-compliance, take immediate action by consulting local authorities or a licensed contractor.

Septifix

Septic Permit Links by State

Alabama Septic Tank Permit	https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/onsite/forms.html
Alaska Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/engineering/homeowners
Arizona Septic Tank Permit	https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/engineering/oss.html#where
Arkansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/pdfs/subsurface-septic-tank-app.pdf
California Septic Tank Permit	https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/septics/permits.html
Colorado Septic Tank Permit	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/OWTS
Connecticut Septic Tank Permit	https://portal.ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/environmental-engineering/environmental-engineering—-subsurface-sewage#:~:text=Septic%20systems%20on%20sites%20with,CT%20Department%20of%20Public%20Health.
Delaware Septic Tank Permit	https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Water/Septics/forms/septic-system-permit-application.pdf
Florida Septic Tank Permit	https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting
Georgia Septic Tank Permit	https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage
Hawaii Septic Tank Permit	https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/epermit/app/#/formversion/a7e3ebf0-6183-4cbb-bc89-e5de66e5f619
Idaho Septic Tank Permit	https://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/wastewater/septic-and-septage/
Illinois Septic Tank Permit	https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/water-forms/wastewater-permits.html
Indiana Septic Tank Permit	https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/
Iowa Septic Tank Permit	https://iowacounty.iowa.gov/environmental_health/septic_systems/
Kansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8966/Septic-Tanks-PDF
Kentucky Septic Tank Permit	https://www.lfchd.org/onsite-sewage-septic-tank-program/
Louisiana Septic Tank Permit	https://ldh.la.gov/news/2088
Maine Septic Tank Permit	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/plumb/forms.htm
Maryland Septic Tank Permit	https://septicapplication.mde.state.md.us/Public/StatewideSepticApplication
Massachusetts Septic Tank Permit	https://www.mass.gov/lists/title-5-septic-system-forms
Michigan Septic Tank Permit	https://www.dhd10.org/homeowners/apply-for-a-new-wellseptic/
Minnesota Septic Tank Permit	https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning/onsite-wastewater/apply-for-a-septic-permit
Mississippi Septic Tank Permit	https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,78.html
Missouri Septic Tank Permit	https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/permitappforms.php
Montana Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.mt.gov/twr/assistance
Nebraska Septic Tank Permit	https://onestop.nebraska.gov/onsite-wastewater-septic-permit
Nevada Septic Tank Permit	https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/ISDS/dta/Permits/Individual_Sewage_Disposal_Systems_-_Permits/
New Hampshire Septic Tank Permit	https://onlineforms.nh.gov/app/#/formversion/e5058738-ce6b-4bab-b5f3-25dc1c33091d
New Jersey Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.nj.gov/dwq/wastewater/septic-systems/professional-information/
New Mexico Septic Tank Permit	https://www.env.nm.gov/septic/apply-for-a-permit/
New York Septic Tank Permit	https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/septic_systems.htm
North Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.carteretcountync.gov/207/Septic-System-Permits
North Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.nd.gov/WQ/2_NDPDES_Permits/6_SepticPumper/sp.aspx
Ohio Septic Tank Permit	https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/sewage-treatment-systems/forms
Oklahoma Septic Tank Permit	https://applications.deq.ok.gov/sewagepermit/
Oregon Septic Tank Permit	https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/Onsite-Resources.aspx
Pennsylvania Septic Tank Permit	https://www.pa.gov/services/dcnr/request-water-and-septic-installation-and-modifications-to-your-state-forest-leased-campsite.html
Rhode Island Septic Tank Permit – Cesspool	https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/permitting/septic-onsite-wastewater-treatment-owts
South Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.aikencountysc.gov/DspOfc?qOfcID=SCDESS
South Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Livestock/FeedlotPermit/Septic/default.aspx
Tennessee Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tn.gov/environment/permit-permits/water-permits1/septic-systems-permits/ssp/permit-water-septic-system-related-permits.html
Texas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf/ossfpermits.html
Utah Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/application-forms-for-onsite-professionals-onsite-wastewater-program
Vermont Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.vermont.gov/water/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water-supply-program/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water
Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector/
Washington Septic Tank Permit	https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/forms-publications
West Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/permit/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin Septic Tank Permit	https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/POWTS/Default.aspx
Wyoming Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-wastewater/permitting/small-wastewater-systems/

Septic Permit Forms By State

Alabama septic permit form	https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/onsite/forms.html
Alaska septic system application form	https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/development-services/wells-septic/pages/forms.aspx
Arizona septic installation permit form	https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/engineering/not.html
Arkansas septic tank permit form	https://healthy.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/EHP-6-Shot-Sheet.pdf
California septic system application form	https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/publications_forms/forms/docs/form200.pdf
Colorado OWTS permit form	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/water-quality-biosolids-permits
Connecticut septic permit application form	https://portal.ct.gov/deep/municipal-wastewater/permit-application-for-wastewater-discharges-from-domestic-sewage-treatment-works
Delaware septic system permit form	https://cdn.stage.expertly.cloud/Link+to+Existing+Water+License+Instructions+v3.pdf
Florida septic tank permit form	https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-forms-and-publications
Georgia septic tank permit form	https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage
Hawaii cesspool permit form	https://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/iws/
Idaho septic permit form	https://www2.deq.idaho.gov/admin/LEIA/index.html?view=folder&id=3045
Illinois private sewage permit form	https://cookcountypublichealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/WS-Eval-Request-v4.1.pdf
Indiana septic system permit form	https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/
Iowa septic installation permit form	https://www.iowadnr.gov/environmental-protection/water-quality/wastewater-construction/sewage-sludge-disposal
Kansas wastewater permit form	https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/632/Household-Hazardous-Waste-Permitting-For
Kentucky septic system permit form	https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water/PermitCert/KPDES/Pages/default.aspx
Louisiana septic tank permit form	https://ldh.la.gov/news/2088
Maine subsurface wastewater permit form	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/plumb/forms/hhe200-pg1-08-2011-fillable-online.pdf
Maryland septic system permit form	https://mes-mde.mde.state.md.us/WastewaterPermitPortal/
Massachusetts Title 5 septic permit form	https://www.mass.gov/lists/title-5-septic-system-forms
Michigan septic permit form	https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/joint-permit-application
Minnesota septic system permit form	https://www.pca.state.mn.us/business-with-us/wastewater-permit-forms
Mississippi septic tank permit form	https://www.misscohealth.com/sewage.php
Missouri septic tank permit form	https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/permitprocess.html
Montana septic permit form	https://deq.mt.gov/twr/assistance
Nebraska septic system permit form	https://dee.nebraska.gov/water/wastewater/onsite-wastewater-program/registration-requirements
Nevada septic system permit form	https://ndep.nv.gov/water/water-pollution-control/permitting/individual-permits-npdes-state-permits
New Hampshire septic approval form	https://onlineforms.nh.gov/Home/d59c2b65-8cfd-4b02-a46e-155a22c7fa94
New Jersey septic system permit form	https://dep.nj.gov/dwq/permitting_information/permits_application_forms_and_checklists/
New Mexico liquid waste permit form	https://www.env.nm.gov/forms/
New York septic system approval form	https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/wastewater-stormwater-water-withdrawal/spdes-permit-program/application-procedures-forms
North Carolina septic permit form	https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/health/page/septic-application-forms
North Dakota septic system permit form	https://deq.nd.gov/Forms/WQ/2_NDPDES/SFN4869_SepticApp.pdf
Ohio sewage treatment system permit form	https://www.wayne-health.org/sites/default/files/2025-02/Septic%20Permit%20to%20install%20fillable%20form.pdf
Oklahoma septic permit form	https://www.deq.ok.gov/environmental-complaints-division/on-site-sewage/on-site-sewage-treatment/
Oregon septic system permit form	https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/residentialseptic.aspx
Pennsylvania septic permit form	https://files.dep.state.pa.us/PublicParticipation/Advisory%20Committees/AdvCommPortalFiles/SAC/10-26-22/06_-_3850-FM-BCW0290_APPLICATION_FOR_AN_ON-LOT_SEWAGE_SYSTEM_PERMIT.pdf
Rhode Island OWTS permit form	https://dem.ri.gov/online-services/applications-forms
South Carolina septic permit form	https://des.sc.gov/permits-regulations/septic-tanks/permits-licenses/septic-tanks-residential-single-home-builder
South Dakota septic system permit form	https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Livestock/FeedlotPermit/docs/checksheet.pdf
Tennessee septic system permit form	https://www.tn.gov/environment/permit-permits/water-permits1/septic-systems-permits/ssp/wr-sds-online-application-for-ground-water-protection-services.html
Texas OSSF permit form	https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf
Utah septic permit form	https://health.utahcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2021/05/Onsite-wastewater-application-updated-04-2021.pdf
Vermont wastewater permit form	https://anronline.vermont.gov/Home/83836795-4a4f-4915-bf44-2be0f8efd76e
Virginia septic permit form	https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/20/2025/02/Septic-and-Well-Application-11-11-24-1.pdf
Washington septic system permit form	https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/337-075.pdf
West Virginia septic permit form	https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/permit/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin POWTS permit form	https://dsps.wi.gov/Documents/Programs/POWTS/POWTSLicenseRenewalInformation.pdf
Wyoming septic permit form	https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-wastewater/permitting/small-wastewater-systems/