Septic suitability in Baltimore city, MD

Very limited

Baltimore city, MD: USDA's soil survey calls 61.5% of the county "Very limited" for a septic leach field. Practically, that rules out a simple gravity system for most of the county - 61.5% of it sits in USDA's most-constrained bucket. The county spans 80.946 square miles, home to 568,271 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

This is a countywide, area-weighted figure across every soil survey map unit in Baltimore city, MD - never a reading for one specific parcel. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Baltimore city: conventional vs. engineered cost

61.5% of Baltimore city carrying a "Very limited" reading changes the realistic budget here. Conventional systems run $3,000-$8,000 where they pass; where they don't, engineered alternatives (mound or aerobic treatment, whichever the health department requires) run $10,000-$40,000 - budget toward the higher figure until a perc test says otherwise.

How Baltimore city, MD compares

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Baltimore city, MD ranks 2,695 most-constrained nationally, and 22 of 23 within Maryland.

Septic suitability in Baltimore city, MD

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Baltimore city: conventional vs. engineered cost

How Baltimore city, MD compares

Further reading