State guide
District of Columbia
On current official District pages, the clearest onsite-soil process is a permitting path for soil borings and wells rather than a dedicated residential septic permit page. For private property, applicants first obtain a DOB Soil Boring Permit number and then submit the detailed boring or well application to DOEE through its Surface and Groundwater System.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- DOB handles the Soil Boring Permit for private-property projects, and DOEE's Regulatory Review Division reviews well and soil-boring applications; no county health departments exist in the District.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- The official District pages reviewed describe permitting for soil borings and wells but did not identify a septic-specific evaluator or percolation-tester license category.
- State fee
- $7/bore for test boring for gas/soil/water, plus 10% additional.
Official resources in District of Columbia
DOB page for the initial private-property soil boring permit, including application steps and DOB contact information.
DOEE page explaining when boring permits are required, exemptions, and the follow-up SGS submission process.
DOB fee schedule showing the published fee for test boring for gas, soil, or water.
DOEE permitting hub noting that all wells and soil borings require permits under 21 DCMR Chapter 18.
Key facts for District of Columbia
- DOB says a Soil Boring Permit covers testing and surveying of soil to determine capability, and DOEE review is required.
- DOEE says all wells and soil borings must get a permit under 21 DCMR Chapter 18.
- For private property, DOEE requires an initial DOB soil boring permit before the detailed DOEE SGS application.
- DOEE says each well-permit application requires a Work Plan, Site Plan, and Environmental Questionnaire.
- Some shallow projects are exempt if they meet all listed DOEE criteria, including depth, location, and abandonment rules.
- DOB's fee schedule lists test boring for gas, soil, or water at $7/bore plus 10% additional.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in District of Columbia
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Buildings Walk-in Center | Washington | (202) 671-3500 | DOB's Soil Boring Permit page lists this office for permit access and walk-in hours. |
| Department of Energy and Environment | Washington | (202) 535-2600 | DOEE's permitting hub lists this main number for environmental permits, including wells and soil borings. |
| SGS Help Desk | Washington | (202) 807-8526 | DOEE's well-permits page lists this help desk for Wells and Borings training and SGS support. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- If your project needs subsurface testing on private property, start with DOB's Soil Boring Permit before trying to file with DOEE.
- Check DOEE's exemption list first; some shallow infiltration-test or BMP-related borings do not need a permit.
- Before filing with DOEE, prepare the three required documents: Work Plan, Site Plan, and Environmental Questionnaire.
Not seeing your county office or county?
Not every county office publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from District of Columbia's population center, for comparison only):
- Prince William Health District Onsite Sewage and Water Services, Virginia · about 29 miles
- Frederick County Health Department - Well and Septic, Maryland · about 42 miles
- Frederick County Health Department - Percolation Test, Maryland · about 42 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.DOB Soil Boring Permit
Website →Phone: (202) 671-3500 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the District of Columbia page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.