Sacramento County, CA: the USDA septic-suitability picture

Very limited

USDA puts Sacramento County, CA at "Very limited" for septic absorption fields, the dominant reading across 84.3% of the county's soil. Expect the ground itself to work against a plain gravity system; USDA's strictest bucket alone covers 84.3% of the county. The county spans 965.38 square miles, home to 1,611,231 people.

What this number does and doesn't tell you

Nothing about Sacramento County, CA's SSURGO figure applies to a specific address - it's a county-wide average. Budget $750-$1,850 for a real perc test on any specific parcel - that's the only figure a permit application accepts.

Sacramento County: conventional vs. engineered cost

84.3% of Sacramento County 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 Sacramento County, CA compares

Among the 3,058 rated counties on this site, Sacramento County, CA ranks 1,750 most-constrained nationally, and 45 of 57 within California.

Before you act on this

How this rating is built, and its real limits · Conventional vs. engineered septic systems