FAQs • Graham County Health Dept, NC • CivicEngage

What are the setback requirements for septic systems?

Setback Requirements for Septic Systems

These distances represent minimal horizontal distances from a wastewater system:

10 feet from any property line
10 feet from any water line
10 feet upslope or 25 feet downslope from interceptor drains
100 feet from normal high water line of any class I or II impounded reservoir used as a source of drinking water
100 feet from any private water supply source
100 feet from any public water supply source
15 feet from any basement
15 feet from any swimming pool
15 feet from the top of a slope of an embankment or cut of two feet or more vertical height
20 feet from any other nitrification field
25 feet from ground water lowering and surface drainage ditches
5 feet from any building foundation, including a deck
50 feet from any stream, canal, marsh, or coastal waters
50 feet from normal high water line of any other lake or impoundment

These distances represent minimal horizontal distances from a wastewater system:

10 feet from any property line
10 feet from any water line
10 feet upslope or 25 feet downslope from interceptor drains
100 feet from normal high water line of any class I or II impounded reservoir used as a source of drinking water
100 feet from any private water supply source
100 feet from any public water supply source
15 feet from any basement
15 feet from any swimming pool
15 feet from the top of a slope of an embankment or cut of two feet or more vertical height
20 feet from any other nitrification field
25 feet from ground water lowering and surface drainage ditches
5 feet from any building foundation, including a deck
50 feet from any stream, canal, marsh, or coastal waters
50 feet from normal high water line of any other lake or impoundment

2. What forms do I need to fill out for a septic permit?: Please see the "Septic Systems" portion of the Environmental Health section of this website for complete details. There is a checklist, application, and fees associated with obtaining a permit. These are all available online.

3. How do I request permit and application records for property?: This is frequently asked, and can be difficult to answer. Be aware that records are kept according to the original owner's information. Searching by address, parcel number, etc. is not possible. In order to fill these requests, the name of the individual who owned the property at the time of the original application, is required. The request for information is here.