Whether you’re buying land, building a home, or maintaining an existing septic system, finding reliable information in the Texas Hill Country can be frustrating. This resource page brings together county health departments, OSSF contacts, homeowner guides, and other useful information to help you navigate septic systems and rural property ownership with confidence. If you don’t find what you need here, the TCEQ local permitting authority search tool remains the most reliable fallback.
Note: Contact numbers verified to the best of our ability — always confirm current information directly with the county.
TCEQ Statewide OSSF Resources
Before contacting your county, these TCEQ resources apply to every Hill Country homeowner regardless of county:
- TCEQ OSSF Program: 512-239-3799
- Email: ossf@tceq.texas.gov
- Find your local permitting authority: tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf
- File a complaint or get technical help: 1-800-447-2827
Hill Country Septic County Contacts — Septic & OSSF
The following twelve counties lie within the Texas Hill Country. These are the primary counties where Hill Country Septic Guide focuses its coverage.
Bandera County
Bandera County OSSF permitting follows TCEQ state guidelines. Contact the county directly for current subdivision regulations and permit requirements.
- Permit Office Location: 502 11th St., Bandera, TX, 78003
- Website: https://www.banderacounty.org/page/engineer
- Department: Bandera County Environmental Health
- Contact: Trent Smith
- Phone: (210) 753-1985
- Notes: Bandera County Subdivision Regulations govern OSSF installations — contact the county office for current application requirements
Blanco County
Blanco County requires an OSSF permit application packet for all new septic installations. Permitting fees run approximately $375 for new systems.
- Permit Office Location: 101 E Pecan Dr. Johnson City, TX, 78636
- Website: https://www.co.blanco.tx.us/
- Department: Blanco County Environmental Health
- Contact: Ty Walston
- Phone: (830) 868-2117
- Notes: OSSF permit application packet required prior to construction — contact county for current fee schedule and requirements
Burnet County
Burnet County requires both a building permit and a septic/OSSF permit before construction can begin. A 9-1-1 address must be obtained first. Note that some Burnet County properties fall under LCRA jurisdiction — verify which authority governs your specific property before submitting applications.
- Permit Office Location: 133 E Jackson St, Rm 107, Burnet, TX, 78611
- Website: Burnet County, Texas
- Department: Burnet County Development Services
- Contact: Herb Darling
- Phone: (512) 756-5437
- Notes: OSSF permit fee is $250 for most systems, $400 for aerobic systems. Class B (flood zone) properties require additional documentation. Licensed installer typically submits septic application on the homeowner’s behalf.
Gillespie County
Gillespie County has adopted rules requiring approved wastewater disposal in ALL areas of the county, regardless of acreage size.
- Permit Office Location: 101 W Main ST, Room B-101, Fredericksburg, TX, 78624
- Website: Gillespie County, TX | Official Website
- Department: Gillespie County Sanitation & Floodplain Office
- Contact: Sheryl Sutton
- Phone: (830) 997-8191
- Notes: Applications must be submitted with required supporting information and fees prior to starting construction on any OSSF
Hays County
Hays County has one of the more structured OSSF permitting operations in the Hill Country region, with a dedicated Environmental Health Division handling all septic permits online. All applications are submitted through the MyGovernmentOnline portal — the county does not accept paper applications.
- Permit Office Location: 2171 Yarrington Rd., Ste. 100, Kyle, TX, 78640
- Website: Hays County On-Site Sewage | County Govt
- Department: Environmental Health Division
- Contact: Eric Vangaasbeek
- Phone: (512) 393-2150
- Notes: Permits required for all unincorporated residential, institutional, and commercial properties. Ongoing maintenance contracts required for all aerobic and advanced treatment systems. Homeowners may install their own residential OSSF; commercial installations require a licensed installer. All OSSF installations must be submitted with the required supporting information and fees prior to starting construction.
Kendall County
Kendall County manages its own OSSF permitting process. Applications require permit registration and a development application submitted before construction.
- Permit Office Location: 400 E Blanco Rd., Boerne, TX, 78006
- Website: https://www.co.kendall.tx.us/394/Onsite-Sewage
- Department: Kendall County Environmental Health
- Contact: Mary Ellen Schulle
- Phone: (830) 331-8252
- Notes: Permit registration application, development application, and public affidavit required for new OSSF installations.
Kerr County
Kerr County is the authorized TCEQ agent for OSSF permitting within the county.
- Permit Office Location: 550 Earl Garrett St. STE. 100, Kerrville, TX, 78028
- Website: EHD On Site Sewage Facility | Welcome to Kerr County | Kerrville, TX
- Department: Kerr County Environmental Health
- Contact: Ashli Badders
- Phone: (830) 896-9022
- Notes: Aerobic system affidavits and development permit applications available through the county office
Kimble County
Kimble County is a smaller rural county centered on Junction. Septic permit inquiries are handled through the County Treasurer’s Office, which manages property records and OSSF permits. For complex permitting questions, the TCEQ San Angelo regional office serves as a resource.
- Permit Office Location: 501 Main St., Junction, TX 76849
- Website: https://www.co.kimble.tx.us/
- Department:
- Contact: Mike McDougall
- Phone: (830) 591-6970
- Notes: Confirm current permit requirements directly with the county before submitting applications — procedures in smaller counties can change without web updates.
Lampasas County
Lampasas County OSSF permitting is managed through the County Commissioners Court. The county seat is Lampasas. For current permit requirements and applications, contact the county directly.
- Permit Office Location: 501 E 4th St, Rm 103, Lampasas, TX, 76550
- Website: Lampasas County, Texas
- Department: Lampasas County Commissioners Court
- Contact: Jerry Harrison
- Phone: (254) 624-0625
- Notes: Lampasas County sits within the Lampasas River watershed — OSSF compliance is particularly relevant given ongoing water quality monitoring in this watershed. Confirm current application requirements before submitting.
Llano County
Llano County manages OSSF permitting through its own application package. The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) also has jurisdiction over some areas of Llano County — verify which authority governs your specific property.
- Permit Office Location: 100 W. Sandstone St. STE 200A, Llano, TX 78643
- Website: Homepage | Llano County, Texas
- Department: Llano County Environmental Health
- Contact: Cristy Vaught
- Phone: (325) 247-2039
- Notes: Some Llano County properties fall under LCRA authority rather than county authority — confirm your permitting jurisdiction before submitting applications
Mason County
Mason County is one of the smaller core Hill Country counties. OSSF permitting is handled through the county judge’s office or designated representative. For Mason and the surrounding smaller counties, TCEQ’s San Angelo regional office serves as a resource when local authority is limited.
- Permit Office Location: 201 Fort McKavitt St., Mason, TX 76856
- Website: Mason County, Texas
- Department:
- Contact: Eli Castillo
- Phone: (325) 347-2477
- Notes: For smaller counties where dedicated environmental health staff may be limited, contact the TCEQ regional office for additional guidance / San Angelo — 325-947-9551
Medina County
Medina County has a dedicated Environmental Health department that serves as the authorized TCEQ agent for OSSF permitting. All installations require a design by a licensed site evaluator, registered sanitarian, or licensed professional engineer.
- Permit Office Location: 1502 Avenue K, Hondo, TX 78861-1820
- Website: Medina County Environmental | Medina County TX
- Department: Medina County Environmental Health
- Contact: Pat Brawner
- Phone: (830) 741-6195
- Notes: A 9-1-1 address and FEMA floodplain map confirming septic site location are required with permit applications. Medina County falls within TCEQ OSSF Region 13 — San Antonio Regional Office: 210-490-3096.
If you don’t find what you need here, the TCEQ’s local permitting authority search tool is your most reliable fallback.
- TCEQ Local Permitting Authority Search: tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf
- TCEQ OSSF Phone: 512-239-3799 TCEQ Email: ossf@tceq.texas.gov
A Note on Keeping This Page Current
Septic permitting contacts change — staff turnover, phone numbers update, and county procedures evolve. We review and update these Hill Country septic county contacts regularly, but always verify directly with your county before submitting applications.
If you discover outdated information on this page, please reach out and let us know.
For a broader understanding of how septic systems work in the Texas Hill Country — including pumping schedules, warning signs, and local soil challenges — browse all of our articles at Hill Country Septic Guide. We’ll be adding articles weekly. Better yet, check out our Start Here: Master Guide.
Helpful Guides for Hill Country Homeowners
Whether you’re a new property owner, dealing with a warning sign, or planning an installation, these guides give you the specific information Hill Country homeowners need — not generic advice written for flat soil and city water.
If You’re New to Septic Systems
- How Does a Septic System Work? A Beginner’s Guide for Hill Country Homeowners
- Aerobic vs Conventional Septic System in Texas — 2 Systems, 1 Brutal Truth: Your Soil Decides
- New Homeowner Septic Checklist in Texas — 9 Things to Confirm Before Your First Year Is Out
- What Is a Perc Test? A Texas Homeowner’s Guide to Septic Site Evaluation
- Tiny Homes on Foundation in Texas: Septic, Permits, and Land Explained – Hill Country Septic Guide
If You’re Buying or Selling Property
- Septic Inspection Before Buying a Home in Texas — A Costly Mistake Hill Country Buyers Make
- Selling a Home With a Septic System in Texas — The Disclosure Mistakes That Derail Hill Country Closings
- Septic System and Private Well in Texas — The Dangerous Combination Hill Country Buyers Underestimate
If Something Seems Wrong
- 7 Signs Your Septic Tank Is Full — And What Hill Country Homeowners Should Do Next
- Septic Drain Field Failure Signs in Texas — 7 Warning Signs Hill Country Homeowners Must Confront
- Septic Smell Outside House — 6 Dangerous Warning Signs Hill Country Homeowners Shouldn’t Ignore
- Sewage Backup Into House — What Hill Country Homeowners Should Do Immediately
- Septic Alarm Going Off? What It Means and What to Do Next – Hill Country Septic Guide