At a glance
| Who regulates | Your county health department, under 15A NCAC 18E |
|---|---|
| Inspection when a home is sold | No statewide requirement found. We found no statewide requirement to inspect a septic system at sale. Buyers commonly order one. |
Septic tank size in North Carolina
From 15A NCAC 18E .0801:
| Home | Minimum tank |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 bedrooms | 1,000 gal |
| 5 bedrooms | 1,250 gal |
| More than 5 bedrooms | Calculated from design flow |
Compare with other states on our tank size calculator.
Tank rules
- The minimum capacity of any septic tank is 1,000 gallons.
- If a grinder pump or sewage lift pump feeds the tank, the required capacity doubles.
- Design daily flow is 120 gallons per bedroom.
Drain field
- North Carolina requires a repair area equal to 100% of the drain field (as summarized by AQWA).
Costs
We don't yet have checked North Carolina-specific prices. National figures: pumping averages about $420–$430 (pumping cost), inspections about $550 on average (inspection cost), and a conventional system $3,000–$8,500 installed (installation cost).
Rules change, and counties and towns can be stricter than the state. Confirm with the agency above before you buy, sell or build.