Septic permits and fees in Polk County, Florida
A septic system permit in Polk County costs $100. The county sets that fee in its own schedule. Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health issues the permit. State rules fix the tank floor at 900 gallons. A private well needs 75 feet from the whole system, a property line 5 feet. Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030, Fees · checked 2026-09-23
$100
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-23
900 gallons
Tank floor, state rule
checked 2026-09-23
75 feet
System to a well
checked 2026-09-23
Which septic permit applies in Polk County?
The septic system permit, and it starts with the site evaluation. State rule 62-6.004 requires a site evaluation of the lot's soil, water table and slope. The department must have that evaluation before it issues a construction permit. The permit follows a passing evaluation. The building permit follows the septic permit.
An engineer, a department employee, a contractor or a soil scientist may do the evaluation. It must include two soil checks. Each must reach six feet deep in the drainfield.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.004, Application for System Construction Permit · checked 2026-09-23
What are the current septic fees in Polk County?
$100 for a septic system permit, on the county's own fee schedule.
Applies to a construction permit for a new septic system, with plan review.
| Application and plan review for construction permit for new system. | $100 | any system |
|---|---|---|
| Application for permitting of a new performance-based treatment system. | $125 | a system the source lists as performance-based treatment system |
The state sets one fee schedule for every Florida county. A site evaluation and the initial inspection each cost extra.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030, Fees · checked 2026-09-23
What state law fixes for every Florida system
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900 gallons minimum septic tank capacity
Applies to a home flow of 300 gallons a day or less, three bedrooms or fewer.
This is the floor under the rule's tank-capacity table. The required tank grows as the estimated flow rises. A separate table sets a home's daily flow from its bedroom count and floor area.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.008, System Size Determinations, Table II · checked 2026-09-23
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75 feet from a private drinking-water well to any part of the system
Applies to a private well for one home, or a shared well for several homes.
A public well needs a wider setback than a private well. The exact distance grows with how much water the public well serves.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.005, Location and Installation · checked 2026-09-23
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5 feet from any property line
The same five feet keeps a system off building walls and pool walls. It can sit closer to a shared utility easement with no buried line.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.005, Location and Installation · checked 2026-09-23
Where do you file the application with Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health?
Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health, 2090 E. Clower St., Bartow, FL 33830, 863-519-8330.
This is the Environmental Public Health office line.
Florida Department of Health in Polk County — Septic Tanks, Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal Systems · checked 2026-09-23
The steps, in the county's order
- Apply for a construction permit before building any part of the system. The department uses Form DEP 4015 for the application.
- The department, or a licensed evaluator, checks the lot's size, soil, water table and slope. This decides if the lot can hold a system.
- Submit a site plan. It must show the structures, wells and water lines already on the property.
- For a home, submit a floor plan. It must show the bedroom count and the building's area.
- Provide two soil profiles from the drainfield area. Each must reach a depth of six feet.
- The department inspects the finished system before it is covered. It must approve the system before anyone can use it.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.004(1)-(2), Application for System Construction Permit · checked 2026-09-23
How do you get a copy of your septic permit record in Polk County?
Ask Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health for the permit record for the property. Call 863-519-8330 or start at its website.
Florida Department of Health in Polk County — Septic Tanks, Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal Systems · checked 2026-09-23
Sources
Each figure on this page has a government source and a checked-on date.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here before you spend money on it. Call the Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Environmental Public Health, on 863-519-8330.