Septic permit rules and requirements in Florida
In Florida, the state sets the rule. The septic permit comes from your county health department. For some systems the state issues it itself. The code is Chapter 62-6, F.A.C.. Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program · checked 2026-09-11
Onsite Sewage Program
Writes the rules
checked 2026-09-23
Your county health department
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-11
Chapter 62-6, F.A.C.
Code section
checked 2026-09-23
Who decides a septic permit in Florida
Your county health department issues an ordinary residential permit. For some systems the state issues it itself. The state sets the floor through the Onsite Sewage Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The county health department issues most permits for the state.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program · checked 2026-09-11
The office's phone number is 850-245-4070.
The program's own line, printed on its page.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program · checked 2026-09-23
The office publishes its own page on this: Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program · checked 2026-09-23
The floor state law sets
The rules that govern every septic system in Florida are Chapter 62-6, F.A.C. — Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems. Every local permit is issued under them.
Rule 62-6.001 sets the scope. The first part covers most systems statewide.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
What state law requires
Does Florida require a septic permit?
Florida requires a permit to build, repair, change or replace a system.
Rule 62-6.003(1) sets this rule. Routine part service and septage pumping are not a repair.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
Does Florida require a percolation test?
A site evaluation of the soil profile and the seasonal high water table, not a percolation test.
Rule 62-6.006 sets the criteria. Rule 62-6.004(3) requires it before a permit.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
The minimum septic tank size Florida allows.
900 gallons.
Applies to a 3-bedroom house.
Rule 62-6.008(2) sets the minimum by the home's daily flow.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from a well in Florida.
75 feet.
Applies to a private well or a well shared by several homes.
Rule 62-6.005(1)(a) sets a longer distance for a public well.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
How far a system must sit from the property line in Florida.
5 feet.
Applies to a property line.
Rule 62-6.005(2) sets the same 5 feet from a building foundation and a pool wall.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
Does Florida require an inspection when a home is sold?
Florida does not require an inspection at a home sale. State law bars a local office from adding one.
Florida Statutes section 381.0065(4)(x) sets this rule for every home sale in the state.
Florida Statutes § 381.0065 · checked 2026-09-23
Must the installer be licensed in Florida?
The Department of Environmental Protection registers septic tank contractors under Chapter 489, Part III.
Rule 62-6.019 sets the exam. A master contractor is a separate, senior class under Rule 62-6.020.
Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 62-6 · checked 2026-09-23
What does an inspection cost in Florida?
These are prices, not permit fees. Each one comes from a government source.
$75 for an inspection.
Applies to an initial inspection of a new or repaired septic system.
Florida Administrative Code Chapter 62-6 sets one inspection fee for the whole state. A county health department that issues permits for the state charges the same fee.
Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030(1)(i), Fees · checked 2026-09-23
Whether Florida counts what it permits
Yes. Florida publishes septic permit counts by county.
The program publishes yearly permit counts by county.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program · checked 2026-09-11
Counties with rules of their own
The state writes the code. Each county below adds rules of its own. Open the county to read them with their sources.
| County | Sets itself |
|---|---|
| Alachua County | unflagged site fee · building department copy |
| Citrus County | sinkhole setback |
| Lake County | |
| Marion County | |
| Polk County | |
| Santa Rosa County | central sewer required coastal areas · septic prohibited in wetlands · permit fee |
| St. Johns County | nitrogen reducing septic · wetland prohibition |
| Volusia County | central sewer required · watershed overlay |
| Walton County | coastal dune lake septic setback · central sewer required · moderate severe soils analysis |
Sources
State records only. Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. County figures live on the county pages.
Verify before you act. Septic rules are set locally and they change. Check anything here with your county health department before you spend money on it.