Development Services: On Site Sewage Facilities

If your property is located outside of city limits - you are required to apply for an OSSF permit through the collin county citizen self-service portal. You can find instructions on how to use the portal, as well as other helpful information, visit the civic access page.

If you are building a new structure that will connect to a new ossf, then apply for your development permit first and staff will then send an associated ossf permit through your portal to be completed by you. do not apply for a separate development permit and ossf permit.

If your property is located inside of city limits - you may be required to apply for an OSSF permit through the collin county citizen self-service portal.

The texas commission on environmental quality (tceq) maintains a list of the permitting agency (authorized agent) for each city, first select "Collin" from the dropdown county list. If your city is not listed, collin county is your authorized agent.

If collin county is your permitting authority and you are adding a new structure, altering an existing structure, or building a swimming pool on a property with an existing ossf, you are required to apply for a review of existing ossf for new construction/improvement permit through the collin county citizen self-service portal .

Collin County maintains a courtesy List of local individuals that have the approved, required credentials to perform OSSF design work in Collin County. The list is provided solely for your convenience. Collin County in no way recommends or guarantees the work of any of the individuals on the list. You may choose any currently licensed Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer to perform your work.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) maintains a List of certified/licensed providers.

In addition to the State Rules (scroll down and choose Chapter 285) for OSSFs, Collin County has a Court Order that details additional, more stringent rules that must be followed.

The Affidavit must be filed with the County Clerk's Office located at

OSSF permits expire after 365 days of no activity (from date of issuance).

Collin County requires three (3) forms when property is sold that has aerobic system:

• (1) Change of Ownership, and (2) Aerobic Wastewater Homeowner's Information sheet, and
• (3) Maintenance contract in new owner's name (must be obtained from your licensed maintenance provider).

Submit the forms through our OSSF Report Portal.

New OSSF Contracts, Maintenance Reports, and Change of Ownership forms will be submitted through our OSSF Report Portal.

Any lot divided between 1983 and 2008 (contact Development Services if exact dates in 1983 or 2008 are critical to your project) must start with a minimum of 1 acre (or 1.5 acres if there is a water well on the property) and any lot divided in 2008 or later must start with 1 usable acre (1.5 acres minimum with 1 acre usable if there is a water well on the property). “Usable” means usable for OSSF components/disposal area (excluding most easements, ponds, etc.).

If the small lot existed as the same small lot prior to 1983, you will need to conduct your own research to find proof that the lot existed before that time and present the documentation to Development Services. If the designed and installed OSSF complies with all requirements set forth in the State and County OSSF regulations, it may be allowed.
Whether an OSSF can be designed and installed in compliance with all current State and County OSSF regulations for a specific lot cannot be determined until you hire a third-party Registered Sanitarian or Professional Engineer to evaluate the site and design the system.

If the property was made smaller than the required acreage after the applicable dates, the property is ineligible for an OSSF. Please note that properties affected by a government taking (for a roadway, etc.) may still be eligible for an OSSF. Contact Development Services with proof of the government taking for review.