Environmental Health Department On-Site Sewage Facility

In keeping with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules for on-site sewage facilities (OSSFs) to provide citizens with adequate public health protection and a minimum of environmental pollution, currently under consideration is a proposed update to the On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Order for Kerr County.

To view/download the draft of the order, click the following link:

Draft of Updated Kerr County OSSF Order (PDF)

Statement in Response to Misinformation

Kerr County Environmental Health OSSF has become aware of a Facebook post that was posted June 27, 2026.  The post is highlighting the proposed change to the current Onsite Sewage Facilities (OSSF) Order for Kerr County.  The change will include a Section 9 calling for more stringent requirements.

30 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §285.10 allows local governmental entities to propose more stringent standards than are minimally required by 30TAC Chapter 285. Kerr County has determined that more stringent requirements are necessary to protect human health and the environment. The justification for the more stringent requirements is in Exhibit B of this ORDER:

Kerr County has historically followed Texas Health and Safety Code §366.052, which exempted single-family homes on 10+ acres or sewage disposal line not closer than 100 feet of the property line from needing a septic permit. However, Section 9 will require permits for ALL future systems.

To be absolutely clear, this change is NOT retroactive. Existing septic systems are fully grandfathered provided they were installed prior to the rules adopted Sept. 1, 1989, or as long as they continue to meet the original state exception requirements:

• The system serves only one single-family dwelling on a 10-acre or larger tract.

• All sewage is disposed of entirely on that property.

• The system does not create a public health nuisance or pollute local groundwater.

If you have an existing, properly operating septic system on a 10+ acre tract, nothing changes for you unless there is more than one single family dwelling on the property or have a structure(s) serviced by an OSSF. This update ensures that new construction and/or an upgrade of an existing OSSF will require a permit regardless of tract size.

The permitting fee is only applied for OSSFs that are being altered, repaired, upgraded or are new installations. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Kerr County Environmental Health office.