Independent directory of public septic records. Not a government website.
3.23M+ Verified public septic records
3,143 U.S. counties, each with its own files
51 States & jurisdictions indexed
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What’s in a septic record

A property can have up to four kinds of septic documents on file. We show which ones the county has, and tell you plainly when one is missing.

Document overview · Sample values Septic permit Issued before the system is installed. It sets the design, the tank size and how many bedrooms the home is approved for.
Permit number TN-2018-9481
Date issued May 14, 2018
System type Conventional Gravity
Bedrooms approved 3 Bedrooms
Daily flow 360 gal/day
Tank size 1,000 gallons
Soil test Passed (Percolation)
Effluent filter Not on file
Source: County Department of Environmental Health Browse all state directories

Why people look up septic records

Buying a home

Check the bedroom count

Septic systems are approved for a set number of bedrooms. A 4-bedroom listing on a 3-bedroom permit is an immediate red flag for mortgage lenders.

Selling a home

Answer buyer questions

Share the original health department permit and pumping history instead of writing “unknown” on property disclosure forms.

Pumping or inspecting

Find the tank lids

The as-built drawing shows where the tank sits, measured from house corners. No expensive probing or digging up the entire lawn.

Building or remodeling

Stay clear of the system

Additions, pools, and driveways must keep mandatory setback distances from the tank and absorption trenches. Know their locations first.

National Directory

Browse by state

Interactive map of all 50 states and counties. Select a state to inspect local health agency records, permit archives, and inspection requirements.

Homeowner Knowledge Base

Septic guides

Essential legal and technical guides for locating documents, buying rural properties, and maintaining drainfield compliance.

View all homeowner guides
Records & Permits 5 min read

How to Find the Septic Records for Your House

Which county office holds them, what specific identifiers to request, and step-by-step procedures if the local health agency has no digitized records.

Read guide
Home Buying Due Diligence 6 min read

Buying a House with a Septic System: Essential Due Diligence

Critical documents to demand before closing, contract title contingencies, the difference between a cursory dye test and an open-tank hydraulic inspection.

Read guide
System Maintenance 4 min read

How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?

How tank capacity, daily water volume, and occupant count dictate pumping intervals. The 1/3 rule for scum and sludge measurement.

Read guide
Public Records Standards

How we handle the records

Our public health directory adheres to strict government record transparency standards, ensuring property owners and sanitarians access authentic documents.

Linked to the source Every indexed record links directly to the official county environmental health agency or state repository document it came from.
Audited & dated Every county directory page explicitly displays when public health archives and local regulations were last verified.
No guessing If an agency did not record a field, tank capacity, or as-built diagram, we clearly state “Not on file” rather than estimating.
Free corrections Property owners, certified pumpers, and inspectors can request record updates or file verification at zero cost.