State guide
Massachusetts
Massachusetts regulates septic systems under Title 5 of the State Environmental Code. For most residential systems, the local Board of Health is the approving authority, while MassDEP reviews larger systems and certain state or federal facilities.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- Massachusetts septic systems are regulated under MassDEP Title 5, but local Boards of Health are the approving authority for systems under 10,000 gallons per day; MassDEP handles larger and certain state or federal cases.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- A state-approved Title 5 Soil Evaluator may perform the soil evaluation, and a Board of Health Soil Evaluator may perform both the percolation test and soil evaluation when the property owner is not paying for them.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- Licensed evaluators or designers
- Official page →
- State fee
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
Official resources in Massachusetts
MassDEP’s main homeowner page for Title 5 guidance, care, inspections, and related state resources.
MassDEP’s permitting hub for septic and wastewater forms, filing, and related permit programs.
Official MassDEP forms page that includes the disposal system construction permit form, soil suitability assessment, and percolation test form.
Explains who qualifies as a soil evaluator or system inspector and how residents can find approved professionals.
NEIWPCC’s current official lists of approved Massachusetts Title 5 soil evaluators and system inspectors.
Key facts for Massachusetts
- MassDEP says local Boards of Health approve septic systems with total design flows under 10,000 gallons per day.
- MassDEP reviews septic projects above 10,000 gallons per day and certain state or federal facilities.
- NEIWPCC trains and certifies Massachusetts Title 5 soil evaluators and system inspectors.
- Title 5 requires a site evaluation before installing a septic system.
- A Board of Health Soil Evaluator may perform both the percolation test and soil evaluation if the owner is not paying.
- Percolation tests may be performed any time of year if the tested soil is below the frozen layer.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Massachusetts
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Division Barnstable | Hyannis | 508-862-4644 | Handles septic system permitting and inspection for the Town of Barnstable and links to its online permit center and septic as-built lookup. |
| Public Health Division - Septic System Information Plymouth | Plymouth | Not published* | Provides septic permit submission, perc test application, vendor lists, records request information, and local septic rules. |
| Board of Health Norfolk | Franklin | 508-520-4905 | The department permits new and repaired or upgraded individual septic systems and witnesses percolation testing. |
| Board of Health Berkshire | Otis | (413)269-0100 ext. 129 | Town page for septic repairs, Title 5 information, and online Board of Health permit status. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Start with your town or city Board of Health, because Massachusetts septic permits are local even though Title 5 is statewide.
- Before hiring anyone for a new system or perc work, check the approved Soil Evaluator list and ask your Board of Health about local witnessing requirements.
- Use the MassDEP Title 5 forms page to confirm the exact state forms your local Board of Health wants submitted.
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 Massachusetts's population center, for comparison only):
- Office of Water Resources OWTS Program, Rhode Island · about 31 miles
- Permit Application Center, Rhode Island · about 31 miles
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Disposal, Rhode Island · about 31 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Septic Systems & Title 5
Website →Phone not shown: use the contact page on the official website above.Your city or county office: Local governments →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Massachusetts page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.