We hold 4,737,309 septic records across 1,179 counties in 46 states, and we have tested 2,041 county records portals directly to find out where the documents actually live. Everything below is built from measured data: where a county has not been measured, the page says so instead of estimating.
Free septic design. Generate a code-referenced septic design for a parcel: design flow from bedroom count, tank sizing, soil-driven drainfield area, dispersal method and setbacks. Free to generate and view. Start a design
A septic permit file usually contains the as-built drawing: tank location and
capacity, drainfield layout and size, the soil evaluation, system type and approval date. It is the
document that makes every other job cheaper and safer.
Pumping. The pumper needs the lid location and tank size. Without the drawing,
finding a buried lid is billed by the hour.
Designing a new system. Design flow comes from bedroom count; the soil
evaluation sets the drainfield area. On a lot with an existing permit, the soil work is often
already on file.
Installing. Permit before work starts, inspection while the system is open,
final as-built at completion. That last drawing is what ends up in the county record.
Repair or replacement. The existing tank, field footprint and reserve area
constrain the design, and all three are on the recorded drawing.
Buying or selling. Lenders and many counties require an inspection, and
inspectors start from the as-built rather than probing blind.
Protecting the drainfield. Pools, sheds, driveways and fences over a field
destroy it. The setbacks are on the drawing.
Common questions
Where do I get septic records for my property?
Septic records are held by the county or district health authority, and in some states by a state environmental agency. We have tested 2,041 county portals directly and publish, per county, where the records are kept, whether you can search them yourself, and how many we hold.
Can I get a septic design for free?
Yes. Generating and viewing a code-referenced septic design for a parcel costs nothing: design flow from bedroom count, tank sizing, soil-driven drainfield area, dispersal method and setbacks. Where a recorded as-built exists for the property, we start from it.
How do I find a septic company near me?
We list 7,697 septic and onsite wastewater businesses by county and city, covering pumping, installation, design, inspection and repair. Listing is not an endorsement and we take no fee from any of them.
How often should a septic tank be pumped?
It depends on tank capacity and household size, both recorded on the system's as-built drawing. Pumping too rarely pushes solids into the drainfield, and a ruined drainfield is the expensive failure, not the tank.
Is my property on septic or sewer?
Our parcel map classifies parcels as septic, sewer or unclassified from county permit records and mapped sewer service areas. Where we have not classified a county we say so rather than guess.