Rural Dallas County Homes May Use On-Site Septic Systems

An on-site sewage facility, or OSSF, is a septic system. Dallas County Health and Human Services takes OSSF applications in its service area. Staff reviews the plan, issues the permit, and checks the work. TCEQ rules often require a permit and an approved plan before a system is built, changed, made larger, or fixed. The state does list a few exceptions.

Environmental Health can confirm the county route at 214-819-2115. Do that before you claim an exception. Work outside a city may also need a county development permit. If you are buying a home, ask for the septic permit and service records. Have the system checked, too. A working sink does not tell you the state of the tank or drain field.