Alexander County Public Health

We are an accredited local health agency offering a wide range of services to the citizens of Alexander County.

338 1st Ave. S.W Taylorsville, NC 28681
828-632-9704 | Fax: 828-632-9008

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Environmental Health

The Alexander County Environmental Health Department performs as a local representative of the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR). Through education of the public and the enforcement of state laws and rules, the goal of the staff is to provide a safer work and play environment for the people of Alexander County.

The areas of service range from the daily inspections of food service facilities, inspections and permitting of wastewater systems, inspections and testing of new private water drinking wells, and other services.


On Site Waste Water is comprised of two divisions.

  • On-Site Wastewater
  • Private Drinking Water Wells


The Food, Lodging, and Institutions program is the division of the Environmental Health Department that is responsible for the plan review, inspection, and permitting of a variety of facilities.


The Environmental Health Department conducts plan reviews, permits and/or inspections, and site investigations for a variety of other State regulated programs.

OSWP – On Site Waste Water is comprised of two divisions.

  1. On-Site Wastewater
  2. Private Drinking Water Wells

On-Site Wastewater (septic systems)

serves a large percentage of the county’s residences and businesses.
We are dedicated to providing the best service possible. Prior to obtaining any construction permits from the Planning and Inspections Department, it is necessary to apply for the proper Environmental permits. Among the list of duties for this division; we conduct

  • site evaluations to determine the suitability of a septic systems (based on the information provided by the applicants)
  • inspections of installations of new/repaired septic systems
  • evaluations of existing septic systems with regard to addition construction (garages, room additions, swimming pools, storage buildings, etc.) and replacement of one home with another home
  • public health complaint investigations

Note: Fees may apply.

Private Drinking Water Wells

serves only those wells which are (or may one day) be used for human consumption. Our office will:

  • conduct a site evaluation and issue the new well construction permit provided that all necessary well setbacks from potential sources of pollution have been complied with
  • perform grouting and well head inspections on all new wells and repaired existing wells (as applicable)
  • issue permits for the repair/abandonment of existing wells
  • conduct water samples collection on new wells once the well is completed and disinfected
  • collect water samples on existing wells

Note: Fees may apply.

The Food, Lodging, and Institutional

program is the division of the Alexander County Environmental Health Department that is responsible for the plan review, inspection and permitting of a variety of facilities. The list of facilities includes, but is not limited to:

  • Restaurants
  • Food Stands
  • Meat Markets
  • Drink Stands
  • Mobile Food Units/Push Carts and Temporary Food Establishments
  • Limited Food Service
  • Lodging (Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfast)
  • Public/Private Schools
  • Hospitals and Nursing Homes
  • Adult Day Service Facilities
  • Adult Care Homes
  • Camp Facilities (Resident, Summer, and Primitive)

In order for a restaurant, food stand, hotel, etc. to operate, the facility must first undergo a plan review. A completed application shall be submitted to the Alexander County Environmental Health Department. North Carolina state law requires that they be permitted by an appropriate agency. (Contact Alexander County Environmental Health Dept. for the correct permitting agency. ) Once permitted, they are required to be inspected on a specified frequency per NC Food Establishment Rules and/or NC Sanitation Rules.

Additional functions of the FLI program include the inspection of TFEs (temporary food establishments) and investigation of pubic health complaints. We conduct:

  • site evaluations to determine the suitability of a septic systems (based on the information provided by the applicants)
  • inspections of installations of new/repaired septic systems
  • evaluations of existing septic systems with regard to addition construction (garages, room additions, swimming pools, storage buildings, etc.) and replacement of one home with another home, as well as
  • public health complaint investigations

Note: Fees may apply.

Mobile Food Units/Push Carts and Temporary Food Establishments or TFE’s

North Carolina law requires that certain food service operations including mobile food units/push carts and those located at festivals and special events obtain a permit to operate from the local Environmental Health Department before operating. See The Requirements for Food Service at Festivals and Special Events for additional information, possible exemptions and exceptions.

Each non-exempt vendor is required to submit a Mobile Food Unit/Push Cart Application (PDF includes plan requirements for Mobile Food Unit/Push Cart) or a Festival, Special Event-TFE Vendor Application to the local Environmental Health Department. The current TFE Application fee is available at the following website link: Fees

Other Environmental Services

The Alexander County Environmental Health Department conducts plan reviews, permits and/or inspections and site investigations for a variety of other State regulated programs.

Swimming Pools and Tattoo Artists are required to be permitted and inspected on an annual basis. Plan review is required on the swimming pools and the tattoo parlors. Inspections are conducted on a schedule as determined by the NC Sanitarian Rules.

Contact the Alexander County Environmental Health Dept. for information regarding the Application and Plan Review requirements for Swimming Pools and Tattoos. All applicable fees shall be collected at the time of application submittal.  (See Fees & Forms tab.)

Child Care Centers (with 6 or more children) in North Carolina are licensed by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and are inspected by the local environmental agency. The Alexander County Environmental Department will conduct a plan review of the facility prior to the initiation of the construction and operation of the center. Contact the Alexander County Environmental Health Department for information regarding the plan review process and all applicable fees.

Lead Poisoning Prevention in Children is a State mandated program that conducts site investigations for the children that have been identified by the State as having elevated levels of lead in their blood. The target age group is children that are under 6 years of age.

Mold, Mosquitoes and Other Pest questions are often directed to environmental health. While we do not offer any program services for these issues, we will provide education and contact
information to the public in order to assist them in resolving any issues that may be occurring. Please contact the Alexander County Environmental Health Department with questions regarding these issues.