Washington County Environmental Department

Washington County Courthouse Annex
105 West Main Street, Suite 100
Brenham, Texas 77833
Phone (979)277-6290     Fax (979)277-6291

 Mark Marzahn, Director  mmarzahn@wacounty.com

Renee Kmiec, Environmental Specialist  rkmiec@wacounty.com

Jose Gamboa, Environmental Specialist  jgamboa@wacounty.com  

 The Washington County Environmental Department administers on-site sewage facility (septic system) permitting, floodplain determination/development permitting, and is responsible for Code Enforcement. The department’s jurisdiction covers the unincorporated areas of Washington County. Our goal is to protect public health and prevent pollution, and we hope that you find this site helpful. Please contact our office if you have any questions or comments.

 On-Site Sewage Facility (Septic System) Permitting

Property owners are advised to contact this office to receive information on septic systems and to obtain a permit application. Permit applications are not available on-line or from any other source. Washington County does NOT require any certain type of system, you have options, and long-term costs can vary a great deal depending on the type of system you choose to install. 

 All new, altered, repaired, or enlarged septic systems require a permit, regardless of acreage. Routine maintenance such as tank pumping does not require a permit, however, you should receive a Waste Manifest from the pumper and keep it for your records as proof that the waste was disposed of properly. Permit application fees are $160 for single-family residential and $260 for all others. You will need the Legal Description of your property from your Deed to complete a permit application. This information is available from the Washington County Clerk and the Washington County Appraisal District. Please see General Septic System Information and Septic System Permitting Procedures for additional information.  For a listing of some septic system professionals working in our area see our Septic Services Directory.  The permit application, fee, site evaluation, and design must be submitted to this office for review and approval before work on the septic system begins.  To help keep your septic system working properly or if it does not appear to be working well, see our Septic System Problems Guide for information on likely causes of problems, possible solutions, and preventing failure.

 Floodplain Development Permitting

 Because Washington County participates in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's National Flood Insurance Program, permit applications and approval of all development within the floodplain are required before construction begins. Development and construction that occurs outside of the floodplain does not require a floodplain permit.

If you are unsure whether or not your property is in the floodplain: Residents of the unincorporated areas of Washington County may view the floodplain maps at the Washington County Courthouse Annex, Environmental Dept., 105 West Main Street, Suite 100, Brenham, Texas. Official Floodplain Determinations and/or Floodplain Development Permit Applications are $25. You will need the Legal Description of your property from your Deed to complete a permit application. This information is available from the Washington County Clerk and the Washington County Appraisal District. For a listing of some floodplain professionals working in our area see our Floodplain Services Directory. The permit application, fee, plans, and specifications of the development must be submitted to this office for review and approval before construction begins. Additional permits may be required to comply with state, and federal regulations for development within areas designated as wetlands. For information on wetlands regulation see the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. For information on flood insurance see the National Flood Insurance Program.

City of Brenham residents call (979)337-7200 for floodplain information.

City of Burton residents call (979)289-3400 for floodplain information.

  Code Enforcement

This office works to protect public health and prevent pollution through enforcement of a number of local and state regulations concerning illegal dumping, solid waste, litter, malfunctioning septic systems, dilapidated structures, outdoor burning, and certain nuisances, as well as some provisions of the State Transportation Code applying to junk vehicles.   

To report a problem that you would like investigated, or for more information, contact us by phone at (979)277-6290, by e-mail at mmarzahn@wacounty.com or by mail at the address located at the top of this page. To report a problem after normal business hours call Washington County Communications at (979)337-7272.

Burn Ban Status

Outdoor Burning Guidelines

 Additional Information, Resources, and Links

 This office is not involved in Food Establishment Permitting or Inspections. The City of Brenham Health Inspector administers Food Service Permitting and Inspections for all County Establishments.  

 Information on subdivision platting, driveway access on county roads, and regulations for underground utility lines is available from the Washington County Road & Bridge Department.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

Texas Department of State Health Services

Texas Water Development Board

Federal Emergency Management Agency

National Flood Insurance Program

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Wetlands Regulation)