Sourced from Rutherford County Government and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) — last checked July 2026.
Quick answer: unlike Williamson County (which runs its own department and its own code of 40 sections and 19 appendices), Rutherford County routes all septic system questions and permitting directly through TDEC’s Division of Water Resources. There is no separate county-level septic department — TDEC is your contact for permits, site evaluations, and septic questions in Murfreesboro, Smyrna, LaVergne, and the rest of Rutherford County.
Who Handles Septic Permits in Rutherford County?
Rutherford County’s official guidance directs homeowners with septic questions to contact Mandy Bolzman at TDEC’s Division of Water Resources: 615-687-7000. This means Rutherford County operates under TDEC’s standard statewide framework without a county-specific regulatory overlay — a very different experience from neighboring Williamson County.
For most Rutherford County homeowners, this is good news: TDEC’s process is well-documented, consistently applied, and doesn’t carry the additional compliance burden and cost that Williamson County’s local regulations add.
The Rutherford County Septic Permit Process Under TDEC
- Contact TDEC’s Division of Water Resources (615-687-7000) to begin the site evaluation process.
- A soil evaluation is conducted — Rutherford County’s soils vary, with some areas having seasonal water table issues or restrictive clay layers that can push toward alternative systems.
- Based on the soil evaluation, TDEC issues a permit for the appropriate system type.
- A TDEC-licensed installer designs and installs to the permitted specifications.
- TDEC inspection before any work is buried.
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Rutherford County Soil Conditions: What to Know
Rutherford County’s rapid growth has pushed development onto a wide range of soil types, not all of which support standard conventional systems. Rutherford County sits in Middle Tennessee’s limestone/karst transition zone — some areas have excellent soil for conventional drainfields; others have seasonal high water tables, clay layers near the surface, or poor drainage that can push toward an engineered alternative system. The soil evaluation is the only authoritative answer for your specific parcel.
The minimum standard under TDEC Rule 0400-48-01: the seasonal water table must sit at least four feet below the bottom of the disposal field. Sites that don’t meet this standard without engineering intervention will require an alternative system.
Sewer Expansion in Rutherford County
Rutherford County’s growth — Murfreesboro is now one of the largest cities in Tennessee — has driven significant sewer infrastructure expansion. Many areas that were on septic a decade ago now have sewer access. Before committing to a major septic repair or new installation in Rutherford County, check whether sewer service is available or planned for your address. Use our sewer availability checker for a quick read.
Contact for Rutherford County Septic Permits
TDEC Division of Water Resources
Contact: Mandy Bolzman
Phone: 615-687-7000
Website: tdec.tn.gov
What Your Permit Costs in Tennessee
Tennessee runs two permitting systems. Nine counties permit their own and set their own fees. The other 86 go through a TDEC field office on one statewide schedule. Most guides describe only the second one — which is why people ring the wrong office.
TDEC figures are the state’s own published schedule. County figures come from each county’s own published table and carry the dating caveat shown against them. Confirm with the office that will actually issue your permit before you budget from any of it. Where a fee is not shown, we could not retrieve a published one — that is not the same as there being no fee. Note also that Tennessee renumbered its septic rule from 1200-1-6 to 0400-48-01 in September 2013; a guide still citing the old number has not been checked in over a decade.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues septic permits in Rutherford County, Tennessee?
TDEC's Division of Water Resources handles septic permitting in Rutherford County. Rutherford County does not have its own county-level septic department — all septic questions and permits go through TDEC directly. Contact: 615-687-7000.
How much does a septic system cost in Rutherford County, Tennessee?
Neither Rutherford County nor the state publishes septic cost data, so we are not going to give you an average. What we can tell you is that Rutherford permits through TDEC directly rather than running its own program, so you pay the state fee schedule rather than a county one, and you are subject to Rule 0400-48-01 without an extra layer of local requirements on top. Costs vary mainly with soil, site slope, system type and the number of bedrooms. Get written quotes from at least two installers for your specific site. Be sceptical of any page quoting a single county-wide average, including for neighboring Williamson County, where the widely circulated $80,000 to $100,000 figure comes from a 2025 newspaper opinion column rather than from agency data.
Does Rutherford County have its own septic regulations?
No. Rutherford County routes septic permitting directly through TDEC s Division of Water Resources, so the rules that apply are the statewide ones in Rule 0400-48-01, which runs to 24 sections. There is no separate county septic department and no county-specific code. That is the normal arrangement in Tennessee: only nine counties run their own programs under contract with TDEC, and Rutherford is not one of them. The nine are Blount, Davidson, Hamilton, Jefferson, Knox, Madison, Sevier, Shelby and Williamson. Neighboring Williamson County is one of them, which is why requirements can differ noticeably a short distance across the county line.
Is sewer available in Rutherford County instead of septic?
In many parts of Rutherford County, yes — Murfreesboro's growth has driven significant sewer expansion. Smyrna and LaVergne also have expanded sewer infrastructure. Check sewer availability for your specific address with your local municipality or TDEC before committing to a major septic investment.