Sewer Or Septic? How To Check Your Garner Address

Not sure if a Garner home is on public sewer or a private septic system? You’re not alone. This one detail can affect inspections, future plans and your budget. In a few minutes, you can confirm it using Wake County tools and the right local contacts. Here’s a simple way to check any Garner address and what to do with the result. Let’s dive in.

Who runs sewer service in Garner

Public water and wastewater serving Garner’s urban service area are operated by the City of Raleigh, while the Town of Garner manages where and when extensions are allowed. Wake County Environmental Services handles permitting and records for private septic systems in unincorporated areas. You can confirm roles and utility contacts on the town’s utilities page at the Town of Garner website: Utilities and Solid Waste Services.

How to check your address fast

Step 1: Search Wake County iMaps

• Open Wake County’s parcel tools and search your address. The county’s instructions show how to use iMaps and the Permit Portal to find wastewater records: Finding a Wastewater Permit.
• Note the jurisdiction in the property’s General info. This tells you if the address is inside town limits or unincorporated Wake County.
• Turn on Environmental Health or Permits layers to look for a septic permit and attachments. A permit PDF often shows the tank and drainfield diagram.
• Turn on Utilities layers to see if a public sewer main runs along the street. Presence of a main suggests connection may be possible, but it does not guarantee there is a house lateral.

Step 2: Check the Permit Portal for records

• If iMaps shows no permit, search the county Permit Portal. If you still can’t find records, submit a records research request. Wake County explains the process and who handles permitting based on jurisdiction: Apply for a Wastewater (Septic) Permit.

Step 3: Confirm with the right office

• For in-town properties, contact Town of Garner Public Works or Building Inspections to confirm extension policies and local steps: Garner Public Works.
• For service status or accounts in the urban service area, contact City of Raleigh Public Utilities. Contact details are published on the town’s utilities page: Utilities and Solid Waste Services.
• For unincorporated properties or septic records, contact Wake County Environmental Services using the channels described on the county pages above.

What your result means

If the property is on public sewer

You should see a sewer main in the street and confirmation of an active or available connection. As part of due diligence, request recent utility bills and ask the utility to verify account status. If you need a new connection, ask about application steps, tap or connection fees, capital facility fees and any frontage or extension charges. Raleigh’s development standards outline how fees and reimbursements can apply: Raleigh UDO reference.

If the property is on a private septic system

Pull the septic permit and site diagram if available. Schedule a septic inspection with a North Carolina certified inspector to assess condition. Wake County explains point‑of‑sale expectations and how to find records: Septic and Wastewater Management FAQs. If you later connect to public sewer, follow the county’s septic tank abandonment procedure and permitting steps: Apply for a Wastewater (Septic) Permit.

If records are missing or mixed

Older systems may not be fully scanned. Treat the system as unknown until a certified inspector confirms it or the county provides records. Start with the county’s instructions to request help locating permits: Finding a Wastewater Permit. If you need to physically locate components or confirm a lateral, hire a certified septic inspector or a private utility locating firm. Costs vary by lot size and complexity.

Costs, rules and timelines to expect

• Connection and extensions. The Town of Garner controls when and where sewer extensions occur, and Raleigh operates the system. Verify current policies and who to contact on the town’s utilities page: Utilities and Solid Waste Services.
• Possible mandatory connection. North Carolina law gives cities authority to require connection when adequate mains are reasonably nearby, though local policies and exemptions apply. Always confirm your specific case with the town and utility. Review state statute context here: NC General Statutes Chapter 160A.
• Typical fee categories. Expect tap or connection fees, capital facility fees and sometimes frontage or extension charges. Raleigh’s development guidance explains the types of fees and reimbursement mechanisms that may apply: Raleigh UDO reference.

Buyer and seller checklist

• Online items to pull

  • Screenshot the Wake County iMaps parcel page with jurisdiction shown and Utilities or Environmental Health layers visible. Use the county’s how‑to: Finding a Wastewater Permit.
  • Download any septic permit PDF and site diagram from the Permit Portal. A step‑by‑step tutorial can help: How to find a septic permit in Wake County.

• Documents to request from the seller

  • Seller disclosure about sewer or septic, any septic maintenance records and pumping receipts and the property survey or site plan. See county FAQs for what to expect: Septic and Wastewater Management FAQs.

• People to call

  • Town of Garner Public Works or Building Inspections for in‑town extension or approval questions: Garner Public Works.
  • City of Raleigh Public Utilities for service availability, account status and fee information. Contacts are listed on the town’s utilities page: Utilities and Solid Waste Services.
  • Wake County Environmental Services for septic records, repair or abandonment permits and process guidance: Apply for a Wastewater (Septic) Permit.

A clear answer on sewer vs septic helps you plan inspections, budgeting and future projects with confidence. If you want a local guide to walk you through due diligence and next steps in Garner, reach out to Quin Realty Group for concierge-level support.

FAQs

How do I tell if a Garner home is on sewer or septic?

• Start with Wake County iMaps to check jurisdiction and layers, then confirm with the Town of Garner or City of Raleigh if needed, using the county’s guide: Finding a Wastewater Permit.

Where can I find a septic permit for a Wake County property?

• Search the county Permit Portal using the steps in the county instructions, and submit a records request if nothing appears online: Finding a Wastewater Permit.

What if there is a sewer main in front of my Garner lot?

• A main in the street suggests connection may be possible, but you still need to confirm eligibility, fees and whether a lateral exists with the Town of Garner and Raleigh Public Utilities: Utilities and Solid Waste Services.

Can I be required to connect to public sewer in North Carolina?

• Cities have authority under state law to require connection when adequate mains are nearby, subject to local policies and exemptions. Verify your case with the town and utility: NC General Statutes Chapter 160A.

How do I abandon a septic tank if I connect to public sewer later?

• Follow Wake County’s abandonment procedure, including permits and pumping, as outlined here: Apply for a Wastewater (Septic) Permit.