Sourced from the Knox County Health Department Groundwater Division and Knox County Government official sources — last checked July 2026.
Quick answer: Knox County septic permits are issued by the Knox County Health Department (KCHD) Groundwater Division at 865-215-5200 — not TDEC directly, and not through a building department. All repairs, alterations, and new septic constructions require a KCHD permit before any work begins. One standout fact: repair permits in Knox County are issued at no cost. Knox County also has a cost-share assistance program for qualifying properties near waterways.
Who Handles Septic Permits in Knox County?
The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) Groundwater Division is the sole permitting authority for septic systems in Knoxville and Knox County. KCHD operates under TDEC’s statewide rules but administers the program locally — the right first call for any septic question in Knox County is KCHD at 865-215-5200 (ext. 1), not TDEC’s main office.
For groundwater-related questions beyond permitting, email groundwater@knoxcounty.org.
The Knox County Septic Permit Process
- Contact KCHD Groundwater Division at 865-215-5200 (ext. 1) to discuss your project and permit needs. Depending on your project, KCHD may need a soil map and/or a site plan.
- Soil testing is performed by private consultants — Knox County does not conduct soil evaluations in-house. Your installer or KCHD can refer you to qualified consultants.
- Submit your permit application with required documentation. KCHD can issue permits for new builds, remodels, and repairs to existing systems.
- A TDEC-licensed installer completes the permitted work.
- KCHD inspection before work is covered.
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Knox County’s No-Cost Repair Permits
One Knox County-specific fact worth knowing: repair permits in Knox County are issued at no cost. If you’re repairing an existing system rather than installing a new one, KCHD’s repair permits carry no application fee. Call 865-215-5200 to confirm current details before scheduling any repair work.
Knox County Septic Cost-Share Assistance Program
Knox County Stormwater maintains a cost-share assistance program for homeowners whose failing septic systems or drainfields are near waterways and contributing to water quality issues. If you’re near a stream, creek, or lake and your system is failing, this program may cover a portion of your repair or replacement costs.
The process involves:
- Contacting Knox County Stormwater to determine eligibility
- Scheduling an inspection with KCHD, which issues a “Construction of Subsurface Sewage Removal” permit if repairs are needed
- Getting bids from three approved septic contractors (KCHD provides the list)
- Completing a Cost-Share Application and Agreement
This is a genuine Knox County differentiator — if you qualify, it can meaningfully offset the cost of East Tennessee septic repairs that can otherwise run $10,000–$30,000+.
Septic Records and Verifications in Knox County
KCHD issues a “Septic Letter” or “Verification” for existing septic systems — useful when buying or selling a property. Call KCHD at 865-215-5200 to schedule a verification. For septic records on properties outside Knox County, KCHD directs you to TDEC’s records system directly.
Knox County also requires an annual permit for septic tank installers and pumpers operating in the county — confirm your contractor holds a current Knox County annual permit before hiring.
East Tennessee Terrain and Knox County Septic Costs
Knox County sits at the edge of East Tennessee’s Appalachian terrain — soil conditions vary significantly across the county. Properties in more rural, hilly parts of Knox County (particularly north and east of the city) may encounter the rocky, shallow-soil conditions that drive up installation and repair costs in East Tennessee. Properties closer to the Knoxville urban core often have better soil depth. A KCHD site evaluation or private soil consultant assessment is the only authoritative answer for your specific parcel.
For typical Knox County septic installation cost ranges, see our Tennessee installation cost guide.
Which Septic Assistance Routes Are Worth Your Time?
Tennessee has something most states do not: a state grant of up to $24,999 that names failed septic systems specifically, is not repaid, and puts no lien on your house. It is narrow, and there is one condition that catches exactly the people who search hardest. Four questions and you will know where you stand.
This is not an application, and it is not a decision. We are not affiliated with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, TDEC, USDA or any county health department, and we cannot approve anything on behalf of any program — only the program itself can do that. Figures are those bodies’ own published terms. Confirm everything with the administering agency before you rely on it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues septic permits in Knox County, Tennessee?
The Knox County Health Department (KCHD) Groundwater Division at 865-215-5200 (ext. 1). KCHD administers the septic permit program locally under TDEC's statewide rules — contact KCHD directly for all permit inquiries, not TDEC's main office or the Knox County building department.
Are repair permits free in Knox County, Tennessee?
Yes — repair permits in Knox County are issued at no cost. Contact KCHD at 865-215-5200 to confirm current details and schedule your repair permit before any work begins.
Does Knox County have a septic assistance program?
Yes — Knox County Stormwater maintains a cost-share assistance program for homeowners with failing septic systems near waterways. If your system is contributing to water quality issues near a stream, creek, or lake, you may qualify for partial cost coverage. Contact Knox County Stormwater to determine eligibility.
How do I get my septic records in Knox County?
Contact the Knox County Health Department Groundwater Division at 865-215-5200 to schedule a "Septic Verification" or request records for a Knox County property. For properties outside Knox County, KCHD refers you to TDEC's records system.
How much does septic installation cost in Knox County, Tennessee?
Knox County septic installation costs vary depending on site conditions — properties in hilly, rural parts of the county with rocky or shallow soil often require engineered alternative systems ($15,000-$35,000+), while properties with better soil depth may qualify for conventional systems ($8,000-$15,000). KCHD's site evaluation determines what your specific property requires.