Guide
Aerobic septic system maintenance: DIY or contract?
Short answer: often yes for a single-family home after the first two years, with conditions.
- New aerobic systems come with an initial two-year service policy from the installer.
- After that, the owner of a single-family residence must either maintain the system personally or obtain a new maintenance contract (30 TAC §285.7(d)(4)).
- This option is not available for commercial, speculative residential, or multifamily property.
- If the home is sold during the two-year policy, the policy carries over to the new owner.
Counties of 40,000+ people (all eight counties on this site)
Under Texas Health & Safety Code §366.0515(g), if a self-maintaining owner is found in violation, the owner has 10 days to fix it or sign a maintenance contract. A second violation within three years means a contract is required within 10 days. The administrative penalty is capped at $100.
Check locally
Your county or city order may add testing, reporting, or registration steps for self-maintainers. Call your permitting authority before you cancel a contract. Use TCEQ's authorized agent lookup or the county pages below.
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FAQ
Can a homeowner maintain their own aerobic septic system in Texas?
For a single-family residence, yes, after the installer's initial two-year service policy, subject to your local permitting authority's requirements. Commercial and multifamily systems need a contract.