Shelby County Septic Permit Process, Step by Step

Sourced from the North Central District Health Department (NCDHD) and Shelby County Government information — last checked July 2026.

Quick answer: Shelby County’s septic permitting is administered by the North Central District Health Department (NCDHD), a multi-county health district covering Henry, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties. The site evaluation fee is $250, and the construction permit is also $250. Shelby County has a notable lot-size requirement: the property must be at least 2 acres (excluding road easements, utility easements, and ponds) to qualify for a septic system.

The Shelby County Process

Submit a site evaluation application to the NCDHD, including an original color-coded high-intensity soil map and a plot plan showing underground utilities, gas lines, structures, wells, and the proposed septic system location.
Pay the $250 site evaluation fee.
NCDHD conducts the site evaluation.
If approved, pay the $250 construction permit fee and complete the permit application with all required information.
A certified installer completes the work.
NCDHD inspection before work is covered.

Fee Summary

Item	Fee
Site evaluation	$250
Re-evaluation (same owner, 2+ years)	$125
Construction permit	$250
Repair permit	$100
Existing system evaluation	$200

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The 2-Acre Lot Requirement

Shelby County requires a minimum lot size of 2 acres (excluding road easements, utility easements, and ponds) to install a septic system. This is stricter than many Kentucky counties and rules out a meaningful portion of smaller residential lots. If your lot is under 2 acres, contact NCDHD directly to understand your options.

Contact NCDHD

Shelby County Health Department
615 11th Street, Shelbyville, KY
Phone: 502-633-9377
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–10:00am (leave a message any other time)

Kentucky septic assistance: which doors are worth knocking on

Kentucky runs no statewide septic repair program. What exists is a short list of federal routes plus county money that changes from year to year. Answer five questions and this will tell you which ones are worth your phone calls, and in what order.

Where is the property?

Do you own the home and live in it?

Household income, roughly

Is anyone on the deed 62 or older?

Where are you in this?

This is not an eligibility determination and nothing here is submitted to any agency. No one at this site can approve you, and no program listed here is run by us. Every one of these is decided by the office named beside it. Treat this as a call list in a sensible order.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum lot size for a septic system in Shelby County, Kentucky?

The lot must be at least 2 acres, excluding road easements, utility easements, ponds, and similar usage areas. This is stricter than many Kentucky counties.

Which health department handles septic permits in Shelby County?

The North Central District Health Department (NCDHD), a multi-county district that also covers Henry, Spencer, and Trimble counties.

How much does a septic permit cost in Shelby County?

The site evaluation is $250 and the construction permit is $250. Repair permits are $100, and existing system evaluations are $200. Confirm current fees with NCDHD before submitting.