State guide
Nevada
Nevada splits onsite wastewater regulation between state and local agencies. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection regulates commercial onsite sewage disposal systems, while residential septic approvals are issued by local health authorities or county building departments, with Clark and Washoe using health-district programs and Nye using its building department.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Who regulates septic permits
- Nevada regulates onsite wastewater through NDEP for commercial OSDS, while residential septic systems are regulated locally by health districts or county building departments; NDEP specifically points residents to Clark, Washoe, Churchill/Eureka/Mineral/Pershing, and Nye local authorities.
- Who can do the soil or perc test
- For commercial OSDS, NDEP requires design by a Nevada-licensed professional engineer; for soil work, NDEP guidance says a soil evaluation may be prepared under the supervision of a qualified person such as a design engineer, soils scientist, or geologist approved by the Division or other administrative authority, and local residential programs may also require test trench or boring inspections by health staff.
- Official septic permit page
- Official page →
- State fee
- Not published by an official source we could verify. Ask the office.
Official resources in Nevada
State page explaining who regulates residential versus commercial systems, when NDEP permits are required, and how to apply.
Official NDEP guidance hub that includes WTS-25 Soil Evaluations for On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems.
Clark County residential septic permit landing page with appointment and contact details.
Official Nye County building department page used for septic-related local permits and inspections in the Pahrump Regional Planning District.
Key facts for Nevada
- NDEP says residential septic approvals are issued by local health authorities or county building departments, not NDEP.
- NDEP’s Bureau of Water Pollution Control oversees commercial onsite wastewater systems and issues OSDS permits.
- NDEP says all OSDS must be designed by a Nevada-licensed Professional Engineer and plans must have a wet stamp.
- NDEP guidance WTS-25 allows a soil evaluation, in lieu of a percolation test, to be prepared under supervision of a qualified engineer, soils scientist, or geologist approved by the Division or other authority.
- Clark County requires soil characteristics documentation; a geotechnical report or a percolation test and boring log will typically suffice.
- Washoe County says once a test trench has been inspected, staff issue a report outlining ideal septic system type, soil profile, and property limitations or concerns.
County septic and soil-evaluation offices in Nevada
| County office | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Nevada Health District, Residential ISDS Permits Clark | Las Vegas | (702) 759-0660 | Handles residential individual sewage disposal system permits, plan review appointments, and permit modifications in Clark County. |
| Nye County Building and Safety Department Nye | Pahrump | (775) 751-6280 | Local office for permits, fees, and inspections in the Pahrump Regional Planning District; NDEP says systems 3,000 gallons or less in Nye County are permitted locally. |
| Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, OSDS Program Coordinator | Carson City | (775) 687-9418 | State contact for commercial OSDS permits and application questions. |
* 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 the state NDEP page to confirm whether your project is residential or commercial and which office has jurisdiction.
- In Clark County, gather water-source proof, sewer non-availability, deed/map documents, and soil boring or perc information before submitting plans.
- In Washoe County, review both the septic permit and test trench application requirements before scheduling field work.
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 Nevada's population center, for comparison only):
- Southwest Utah Public Health Department - Septic Systems, Utah · about 138 miles
- Mohave County Development Services On-Site Septic Wastewater Disposal Program, Arizona · about 183 miles
- San Bernardino County Public Health Environmental Health Services - Application for Percolation Review, California · about 227 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.NDEP Onsite Sewage Disposal System Program
Website →Phone: (775) 687-9418 (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 Nevada page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.