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Environmental Health

Protecting our community's environment and public health.

The Environmental Health Division promotes and protects public health through mandated inspections and the enforcement of local and state public health laws, rules, and regulations.

2Counties served
6+Service areas
Annual childcare inspections
Service Areas

What Environmental Health covers.

We regulate and inspect a broad range of environmental health areas across Granville and Vance counties to keep our communities safe.

Septic Systems, Wells & Water

On-site sewage and private wells program evaluating land to determine suitability for absorption and water supply.

Food Service & Restaurants

Plan review, permitting, and inspection of food service establishments, mobile food units, and temporary food events.

Public Swimming Pools

Approval, permitting, and inspection of pools for compliance with health, safety, operational, and maintenance requirements.

Children's Environmental Health

Lead poisoning prevention and environmental assessments for children. Childcare facility inspections twice per year.

Tattoo & Body Art

Annual inspections and permitting for tattoo artists. A new permit is required for each artist annually.

Nuisance & Complaint Investigations

On-site sewage nuisance complaints and investigations involving rodents and garbage control.

Fee Schedule

Environmental Health Fees

Effective July 1, 2025. Fees are charged for many services provided by Environmental Health.

Service Fee
Lot Evaluation, Layout, Permits & Inspections
Lot Evaluation – IP (Conventional)$400.00
Lot Evaluation – IP (Pump) & LPPP$450.00
Lot Evaluation – IP (Pump) – Mound/Elevated Absorption$400.00
Recertification/Expansion$200.00
Permit Update/Other$135.00
Detailed Septic System Search$100.00
Additional Site Visit for Appeals$100.00
On-Site Septic Modification$400.00
Engineered Option Permit$37.50
Well Permit$460.00
Water Samples (Bacteriological)$75.00
Water Samples – All Other (Pesticides, Inorganic)$100.00
Swimming Pool: Permits and Inspections$200.00
Swimming Pool: Re-Inspection$100.00
Swimming Pool: Plan Review$300.00
Tattoo Artist Permit$200.00
Plan Review Fees
Food Service Plan Review$250.00
Temporary Food Establishment$75.00

Questions about fees? Contact our office or email eh@gvph.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions answered.

Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our office directly.

Check with the event organizer first to get information regarding food rules. Submit an application that gives details on your food booth. If you are already a permitted Mobile Food Unit, you will not need to fill out an application, but the event organizer will still need to get information from you. Vendors who are not already permitted as a Mobile Food Unit or who are a non-exempt group will need to submit an application with a fee to the event organizer who will turn the applications in to Environmental Health. Our office will inspect your food booth on the day of the event approximately 2 hours before scheduled opening.
Twice per year an unannounced inspection is made by Environmental Health staff. Additional inspections are required if a childcare center receives a "provisional" or "disapproved" rating.
Any public pool, spa, or wading pool that serves more than one family is inspected and must receive an annual permit to operate. These pools may be located at apartments, condominiums, community centers, duplexes, and health clubs.
Inspections are conducted at least once per year. A new permit is required for each artist annually.
Mobile Food Units and pushcarts are permitted and inspected by the Health Department and must display a grade card.
NC Environmental Health rules and regulations are located in the Environmental Health section of the NC Health and Human Services website.
The On-Site Water Protection section is responsible for the on-site sewage and private wells program that evaluates land to determine suitability for an on-site ground absorption sewage disposal (septic tank) and/or private water supply well. Septic permits and well permits are issued after site and soil evaluations are performed and the site meets applicable conditions. Septic systems reconnection permits are also issued after a site review and conditions are determined to be satisfactory. Certain alternative septic systems require maintenance management inspections. Private well water sampling is also performed.
Families concerned that their child may have elevated levels of lead in their blood should schedule a child health clinic appointment. Depending on the level of lead in the child's blood, environmental health staff may recommend or require a home environmental assessment and/or our WIC program may provide nutrition education to remedy the impact on the child's health and wellbeing. Contact our office to get started.
Get in Touch

Contact Environmental Health

Have a question, need to schedule an inspection, or want to file a complaint? Use the form or call us directly.

Granville County Environmental Health

For services in Granville County

(919) 693-2688

Vance County Environmental Health

For services in Vance County

(919) 452-5263

Email

Send us a message anytime

eh@gvph.org

Send Us a Message

We typically respond within 1–2 business days. For urgent matters, please call our office directly.

Helpful for septic, well, and inspection inquiries.
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