Gallatin County septic permits, Montana's pumper license list, what pumping costs, and three Gallatin Valley companies that name Bozeman, checked October 2026.
On this page
- Bozeman at a glance
- Septic companies that serve Bozeman
- Side-by-side comparison
- How much septic pumping and cleaning costs in Bozeman
- What's different about septic pumping and cleaning in Bozeman
- Permits and rules in Bozeman
- Frozen, full, or just due?
- How to choose a septic company in Bozeman
- When to book in Bozeman
- Nearby areas and related services
- Questions people in Bozeman ask
Inside Bozeman city limits most homes are on city sewer; septic tanks are common in the county around it. Pump every 3 to 5 years (EPA), typically $297 to $584 (Angi national range, October 2026). New and replacement systems need a permit from the Gallatin City-County Health Department, and pumping companies must hold a Montana DEQ septic pumper license.
Bozeman at a glance
- Bozeman population: 53,293 in the 2020 census; 58,814 estimated for July 2025 sourceGrowth keeps pumpers busy; book routine work early rather than waiting for a problem.
- Median value of owner-occupied homes: $687,900 (ACS 2020 to 2024) sourceA buyer of a rural Bozeman-area home on septic should pull the county permit record before closing.
- Gallatin County septic permit fee: $375 plus a review fee ($140, or $275 where a site evaluation is required) for a new or replacement system sourcePumping needs no permit; replacing a drainfield does, so budget the permit on top of the work. Confirm the current fee with the county.
- Septic permit records: searchable online; the county has issued wastewater permits since January 1, 1966 sourceLook up your permit before the pumper arrives; it shows tank size and where the system is.
- Montana septic pumper license: required to pump tanks or haul septage; issued by Montana DEQ for the calendar year, with a public list (2026 list dated May 20, 2026) sourceFind the company's name on DEQ's list before booking.
- Septic systems and the Gallatin River: malfunctioning systems are among the leading sources of excess nitrogen in the watershed sourceThe task force suggests cleaning the effluent filter every six months and an inspection every year.
Between pump-outs, some Bozeman owners add a tank treatment such as Septifix (sponsored link). It is a treatment, not a substitute for pumping: the maker’s claims are its own, and the Nebraska DEQ notes research has shown little benefit from additives. Read our Septifix review first.
Septic companies that serve Bozeman
How we picked
We kept Gallatin Valley companies whose own websites name Bozeman and offer septic tank pumping, then checked each name against Montana DEQ’s 2026 list of licensed septic pumpers (dated May 20, 2026). Companies that only inspect or install were left out. No company paid to be listed. Checked October 17, 2026.
Scenic City Enterprises (Scenic City Pumping)
A long-running family business with pumping, camera inspection and grease trap service
- Services
- Septic pumping, Camera inspections, Jetting, Grease trap cleaning
- Serves Bozeman
- Names Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky and the Gallatin Valley; family owned since 2000
- Hours
- Not listed; says it prioritizes emergencies
- License
- DEQ S-937 (checked Oct 17, 2026)
The company says routine requests can wait a few weeks in the busy summer months.
All Country Septic Tank Pumping
A small, owner-run pumping company covering the whole valley
- Services
- Septic tank pumping, Free estimates
- Serves Bozeman
- Lists Bozeman, Belgrade, Big Sky, Three Forks, Manhattan and Livingston
- Hours
- Not listed
- License
- DEQ S-1130 (checked Oct 17, 2026)
Based in Manhattan; the site lists two owners' cell numbers, so leave a message if no one picks up.
TLC Services
Pumping plus drainfield repair and new installs from one company
- Services
- Septic pumping, Inspections, Drainfield repair, System installation
- Serves Bozeman
- Names Bozeman, Belgrade, Manhattan, Three Forks, Livingston, Ennis and Big Sky
- Hours
- Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; says it offers 24-hour · emergency service
We could not match this name exactly on DEQ's 2026 list (the closest Gallatin County entry is TLC Landscape & Excavation, Inc.), so ask for the license number.
Don’t want to call around?
Make it easy: one call and we'll connect you
Calls are answered by a pay-per-call partner network that connects you with an available septic company serving Bozeman. It may not be one of the companies listed above. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Free referral service. We're not a septic pumping and cleaning company; independent companies do the work and set their own prices. We may be paid when you call. How this works
Side-by-side comparison
| Company | Best for | 24/7 | License | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scenic City Enterprises (Scenic City Pumping) | A long-running family business with pumping, camera inspection and grease trap service | No | Verified Oct 17, 2026 | None shown |
| All Country Septic Tank Pumping | A small, owner-run pumping company covering the whole valley | No | Verified Oct 17, 2026 | None shown |
| TLC Services | Pumping plus drainfield repair and new installs from one company | Yes | Not verified | None shown |
How much septic pumping and cleaning costs in Bozeman
| Job | Typical price | Includes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pump-out, U.S. typical range | $297 to $584 | Pumping and disposal | Angi, Oct 2026; average $432 |
| Gallatin County permit, new or replacement system | $375 + review fee | Permit for the system | County fee schedule effective Oct. 2018 |
| County review fee, lot needing a site evaluation | $275 | Plan and site review | $140 where no site evaluation is needed |
| Copy of an unscanned permit record | $0.25 a page | Black-and-white copy at the county office | Many records are free to view online |
| Replacing a failed system | $8,000 to $20,000 | New system, as estimated locally | Gallatin River Task Force, 2025 |
Pumping range from Angi (national, Oct 2026); permit and copy fees from the Gallatin City-County Health Department; replacement range from the Gallatin River Task Force. Get a written quote.
What drives the price in Bozeman
- Snow and frozen ground: digging out a lid in January takes longer than in July.
- Driving distance: the companies above are based in Belgrade and Manhattan; Bridger Canyon or Big Sky calls cost more to reach.
- Tank size and access: bigger tanks and long hose runs add time.
- Summer demand: busy months mean longer waits, and rush jobs cost more.
If the company’s name isn’t on Montana DEQ’s licensed pumper list, don’t let it haul your waste.
What's different about septic pumping and cleaning in Bozeman
Gallatin County permits and records
The Gallatin City-County Health Department’s Environmental Health Services division permits every septic system in the county, including the Bozeman area. Before anything is installed, a Gallatin County Registered Site Evaluator or a Montana engineer evaluates the site, and a county-registered installer must be on site for the work. Under the fee schedule effective October 27, 2018, a new or replacement system costs $375 plus a review fee of $140, or $275 when a site evaluation is needed.
The county has issued wastewater permits since January 1, 1966, and its records search lets you look yours up by owner, address or subdivision. Records without scanned images can be copied at the county office for $0.25 a page. Call 406-582-3120 with questions.
Winter, the Gallatin River and Montana's pumper license
Montana DEQ licenses anyone who pumps septic tanks or hauls septage, one calendar year at a time, and publishes the list of licensed companies. DEQ rules also limit spreading septage on frozen or snow-covered ground to flat sites outside the floodplain, with extra treatment, which can narrow where a load goes in winter. Booking routine pumping between late spring and early fall avoids frozen lids and the coldest weeks.
The Gallatin River Task Force counts malfunctioning septic systems among the leading sources of excess nitrogen in the watershed. Its advice for owners: clean the effluent filter every six months, have the system inspected each year, and pump when the inspection says so.
Permits and rules in Bozeman
Septic systems around Bozeman are permitted by the Gallatin City-County Health Department under its local wastewater regulations and Montana law. The City of Bozeman handles its own sewer system, not septic tanks.
- Pumping: no homeowner permit. The company needs a Montana DEQ septic pumper license.
- New, replacement or expanded systems: a county permit, a registered site evaluator or engineer, and a county-registered installer.
- Records: search Gallatin County septic permits online.
Frozen, full, or just due?
Not sure if your tank is still in use? The county’s permit search shows what’s on file for your address.
How to choose a septic company in Bozeman
- Look the name up on DEQ’s list. Montana posts every licensed septic pumper, and the license renews each year.
- Ask how deep your lid is. If it’s buried, ask what digging costs, and whether a riser makes sense before winter.
- Ask them to clean the effluent filter. Many newer tanks have one, and it should be rinsed at each visit.
- Ask about the wait. In summer, some valley companies book weeks out; a firm date matters more than a quick promise.
Be wary of anyone who wants to replace a drainfield without a county permit or a registered installer.
When to book in Bozeman
Late spring through early fall is the easiest window in Bozeman: lids are thawed and trucks can reach the tank. Summer is also when companies get busiest, so book a few weeks ahead. In winter, leave snow cover over the tank and drainfield (it insulates), keep vehicles off that area, and call early if drains slow during a cold snap.
Want a quick read on your system before the snow flies? Take the 30-second Septifix septic quiz (sponsored link). Septifix is a treatment only: it won’t thaw a frozen line, fix a failed drainfield or stand in for regular pumping.
Nearby areas and related services
Septic pumping directory: Other towns we cover.
Related:
Questions people in Bozeman ask
Do Bozeman homes have septic tanks?
Most homes inside city limits are on City of Bozeman sewer. Many homes in the surrounding county use septic tanks, and the Gallatin City-County Health Department permits them.
What does a septic permit cost in Gallatin County?
The county fee schedule effective October 2018 lists $375 for a new or replacement system, plus a review fee of $140, or $275 where a site evaluation is required. Check the current fee before applying.
Can a septic tank be pumped in a Bozeman winter?
Often yes, if the truck can reach the tank and the lid can be dug out. It costs more time and Montana limits spreading septage on frozen ground, so routine pumping is easier from late spring to early fall.
How do I check a Montana septic pumper's license?
Montana DEQ publishes a list of licensed septic pumpers each year. Look for the company's legal name, and ask for its license number if the name doesn't match.