Septic tank size by state / South Atlantic
Georgia septic tank size
In Georgia the minimum septic tank for a three-bedroom house is 1,000 gallons, and four bedrooms need the same 1,000 gallons. The figure comes from Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 511-3-1-.05(3) (Septic Tanks - Capacity). That matches the 1,000-gallon median of the 47 states listed here.
What the Georgia rule says
The rule is Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 511-3-1-.05(3) (Septic Tanks - Capacity), administered by Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Environmental Health; administered by county boards of health. In its own words:
(3) Capacity. The liquid capacity of septic tanks for single family dwellings shall be one thousand gallons for one, two, three or four bedrooms and 250 additional gallons for each bedroom over four. Septic tank capacity shall be increased by (50%) if a garbage grinder is to be used.
Source: Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 511-3-1-.05(3) (Septic Tanks - Capacity), read 2026-10-20.
- A garbage grinder adds 50% to the tank.
- Above four bedrooms the minimum rises 250 gallons per bedroom.
- County boards of health administer the rule.
Georgia minimum tank size by bedrooms
| Bedrooms | Minimum tank | Versus the median state |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 gal | same |
| 2 | 1,000 gal | — |
| 3 | 1,000 gal | same |
| 4 | 1,000 gal | −200 |
| 5 | 1,250 gal | −250 |
| 6 | 1,500 gal | — |
The first step up comes at 5 bedrooms, from 1,000 to 1,250 gallons, and a six-bedroom house needs 1,500 gallons. Beyond the table the rule adds 250 gallons for each extra bedroom. These are minimums: the permit can call for more, and a bigger tank needs pumping less often.
How Georgia compares with nearby states
Delaware requires 1,000 gallons for three bedrooms; Florida requires 900 gallons for three bedrooms; Maryland requires 1,000 gallons for three bedrooms; North Carolina requires 1,000 gallons for three bedrooms; South Carolina requires 1,000 gallons for three bedrooms; Virginia requires 900 gallons for three bedrooms; West Virginia requires 1,000 gallons for three bedrooms. 37 of the 47 states listed here share Georgia's three-bedroom figure.
Before you size a tank in Georgia
- Bedrooms, not people, set the size in most rules. Rooms that could be used as bedrooms are usually counted, so check how your permitting office counts a den or a finished basement.
- Garbage disposals, grinder or ejector pumps and large tubs change the answer in many states; the points above list Georgia's adjustments.
- The tank is only half the system. The drainfield is sized separately from soil tests, and it is usually the bigger cost.
- A private well on the same lot has its own setbacks from the tank and field; the well pump and pressure tank calculators size the water side.
Figures are the state's minimum as written on 2026-10-20. Local health departments can require more; the permit issued for your property governs. See the methodology for how each state was read.