Bolthole Index county-legal census · checked 2026-08-08
Septic permitting in Maryland is handled at the county level — county health departments approve systems in 23 of 24 counties.Every entry below names the approving authority for that county, cited to the authority’s own page.
Septic rules change and some cities run their own programs — treat this as a verified starting point, not legal advice. All states → Maryland water rights & wells → Full Maryland profile →
24 counties · county health departments · permit status scouted for 3
Allegany County Health Department, Environmental Health
Allegany County Health Department - On-Site Well & Septic ↗Anne Arundel County Department of Health - Sanitary Engineering Program
Anne Arundel County Health Department - Wells and Septic Systems ↗Maryland Department of the Environment (Onsite Disposal Systems)
Maryland Department of the Environment Onsite Disposal Systems ↗Baltimore County Ground Water Management (Dept. of Environmental Protection and Sustainability)
Baltimore County Ground Water Management ↗Calvert County Health Department - Environmental Health Services (On-Site Sewage Disposal)
Calvert County Health Department - Septic Systems ↗Caroline County Health Department (Environmental Health), under MDE
Caroline County Health Department - Environmental Health ↗Carroll County Health Department - Bureau of Environmental Health (under MDE)
Carroll County Health Department - Building Permits (Environmental Health) ↗Cecil County Land Use & Development Services, Water and Sewer Planning Division
Cecil County - Water & Sewer Planning Division ↗Charles County Department of Health, Environmental Health Division (under Maryland Department of the Environment)
Charles County Department of Health - Environmental Health ↗Dorchester County Health Department
Dorchester County Health Department - Perc Tests and Septic Systems ↗Frederick County Health Department - Environmental Health / Well & Septic Office
Frederick County Health Department - Building Permit Approval ↗Garrett County Health Department – Environmental Health Services
Garrett County Health Department – Sewage Disposal Systems ↗Harford County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health (under MDE)
Harford County Health Department - Building With a Well and Septic System ↗Howard County Health Department, Bureau of Environmental Health (Well & Septic Program)
Howard County Health Department - Well & Septic Program ↗Kent County Health Department, Environmental Health (with MDE assistance)
Kent County Health Department - Environmental Health ↗Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (on behalf of Maryland Dept. of the Environment)
Montgomery County - Septic Permit Process (DPS) ↗Prince George's County Health Department / DPIE Health
Prince George's County - On-site Sewage Disposal Systems ↗Queen Anne's County Department of Health, Environmental Health (Sewer Program)
Queen Anne's County Department of Health - Environmental Health ↗Somerset County Health Department, Environmental Health Division
Somerset County Health Department - Environmental Health ↗St. Mary's County Health Department - Environmental Health Division
St. Mary's County Health Department - On-Site Septic Systems ↗Talbot County Health Department (Environmental Health)
Talbot County Health Department - Septic Systems & Sewage ↗Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health
Washington County Health Department - Environmental Health ↗Wicomico County Health Department, Environmental Health
Wicomico County Health Department - Environmental Health ↗Worcester County Department of Environmental Programs
Worcester County Environmental Programs - Septic System Permitting ↗Every county here has a full profile — its index score, water, land prices, and the rest of its building rules. See the Maryland state page for all counties ranked, or the national septic guide.
General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.
