01The tank was pumped, and the yard is still wet
If sewage keeps surfacing over the drain field after the tank has been pumped, or drains back up again within days, the problem is usually the drain field itself. The soil may be clogged with solids that escaped the tank, a line may be crushed or broken, roots may have grown into the trenches, or the field may simply be too small for how the house is now used. A drain field repair can mean replacing a few lines, adding new trenches or replacing the field.
Every one of those jobs is permitted work in Georgia, and in Braselton the permit comes from the county where the lot sits. This guide summarizes the rules and the published fees. Contractor prices are not published by any public office, so get written quotes for the work itself.
02Why a permit is required
Georgia's Department of Public Health rules for on-site sewage management systems, Chapter 511-3-1, say repairs, replacement or additions to existing systems must be permitted and inspected. The Environmental Health office reviews the site and the proposed repair, issues the permit and inspects the work before it is covered. Inspections are what make the repair part of the system's public record, which matters when you sell.
Working without a permit has a cost. GNR's Gwinnett schedule charges installation without a permit at twice the permit fees, and Hall County's schedule lists a penalty for installing without a valid permit. A certified septic contractor normally applies for the permit; GNR's repair application says a contractor you choose may act as your agent.
Repairs, replacement, or additions to existing systems must be permitted and inspected.
Georgia DPH Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, Section A: Rules and Regulations, Chapter 511-3-1 (PDF)
03Soil reports and site plans
The soil under the drain field decides what kind of repair will work. In the Gwinnett part of Braselton, GNR requires a Level 3 soil report for all septic permits, including repairs and additions that modify the system, since February 7, 2022. In Jackson County, the existing system evaluation form says requests that require modifications to the septic system result in additional fees and may require a Level 3 soil report or a site plan.
Soil classifiers are certified by the state and listed on the Department of Public Health's certification page. Their reports are a private cost. Ask the permit office what it needs before the classifier visits, so the report covers the right area.
| County office | Repair or modification fee | Re-inspection | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson County EH | Repair permit $200.00; addition/modification inspection $150.00 | $200.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| GNR Gwinnett EH | Residential site evaluation, permit and initial inspection $275 ($400 from a complaint) | $175 | GNR Gwinnett EH fee schedule |
| Hall County EH | Residential repair $150; tank addition/alteration $250 | $150 | Hall County EH fees |
| Barrow County EH | Call 770-307-3502 (fees being updated) | Call | Northeast Health District |
04If sewer is available, a repair may not be the answer
State rules say that if an existing system fails, immediate connection shall be made to a public or community sewer if one is available. A failing residential system of less than 2,000 gallons per day may be exempted if the repair or replacement will meet the criteria in the state manual and the county board of health finds sufficient area and usable soils. Inside town limits, the Town of Braselton's ordinance also restricts private wastewater systems.
If a Town sewer line is close to your lot, ask the Town and the county office which applies before paying for a repair design; see the sewer versus septic comparison.
05Full county schedules
The repair-related fees above come from the full schedules. Jackson County's is reproduced here; Gwinnett's and Hall's are on the permit fee comparison, along with a lookup tool.
| Residential item | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Septic tank inspection (new system permit) | $375.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Septic tank inspection, 5 or more bedrooms | $425.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Septic tank inspection re-inspection | $200.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Septic tank evaluation (existing system) | $150.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Septic system location plan review | $50.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Septic system site plan review | $75.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Repair permit | $200.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Addition/modification inspection | $150.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Expedited service (residential) | $75.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
| Pump truck inspection (septage removal) | $200.00 | Jackson County EH fee schedule |
06Before you call the office
Have the property address, the parcel number from your tax bill and the owner's name ready. If you have the permit drawing, a soil report, a recent pump-out receipt or photos of the problem, keep them in one place so you can email or bring them. Write down the name of the person you speak with, the date and what they told you, especially any fee amounts or documents they say you need. Fee schedules and forms change, and a short note of the call can save a second trip. If a contractor is handling the permit for you, ask for a copy of the application and the permit number once it is issued, and keep the inspection approval with your house records. Offices around Braselton keep limited hours and some close at midday, so call ahead rather than driving to Jefferson, Lawrenceville or Gainesville on the chance that someone is free. Ask, too, whether the office prefers email, in-person or mailed applications, because the counties handle this differently.
07Comparing repair quotes
Ask each contractor to put in writing what they found, what they propose to repair or replace, whether a soil report and permit are included in the quote, and what happens if the inspector requires changes. A quote that leaves out the permit and soil report is not comparable with one that includes them. Ask how long the repair will take, how the yard will be restored, and what warranty, if any, the contractor offers on the work.
08Before the work starts
Ask the contractor who will apply for the permit, whether a soil report is needed, and when the inspection will happen. Ask for the permit number and keep the inspection approval with your house records. Keep water use low until the repair is approved and covered. For how to keep the new field working, see the septic care guide. The Free Quote Request on this page sends your details to an independent septic provider who works around Braselton.
Sources for this article: Georgia DPH Manual for On-Site Sewage Management Systems, Section A: Rules and Regulations, Chapter 511-3-1 (PDF); GNR Public Health: Septic Systems; GNR Public Health: Gwinnett County Environmental Health Fee Schedule (PDF); GNR Public Health: Residential Septic System New Construction Permit Application and Requirements (PDF); Jackson County EH: Existing System Evaluation Request Form (PDF); Jackson County EH Fees, effective October 1, 2024 (Northeast Health District, PDF); Hall County Board of Health: Environmental Health Fees, effective Jan. 1, 2024; Northeast Health District: Sewage/Septic Systems; Georgia DPH: Certification/Registration Information (certified contractor, pumper and soil classifier lists); Town of Braselton Code, Chapter 20: Water and Sewer Ordinance (PDF). Checked 2026-10-26.
Reader questions
Does a drain field repair need a permit in Braselton?
Yes. Georgia DPH rules require repairs, replacements and additions to existing systems to be permitted and inspected by the county Environmental Health office.
Do I need a soil report for a septic repair in Gwinnett?
Yes. GNR requires a Level 3 soil report for all septic permits, including repairs, since February 7, 2022.
What is the Jackson County septic repair permit fee?
The schedule effective October 1, 2024 lists a residential repair permit at $200.00.