Septic rules and requirements in Santa Rosa County, Florida
Septic permits in Santa Rosa County are issued by the Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Environmental Public Health. A new system permit costs $433. USDA rates most of the soil in the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 67.1% of the rated acres. Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Onsite Sewage Disposal · checked 2026-09-24
Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Environmental Public Health
Issues the permit
checked 2026-09-24
$433
Septic system permit
checked 2026-09-24
Very limited
USDA rating, 67.1% of rated acres
checked 2026-09-24
Who issues septic permits in Santa Rosa County?
Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Environmental Public Health, at 5505 Stewart St., Milton, FL 32570, 850-983-5275.
Santa Rosa County does not issue septic permits. Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County, Environmental Public Health, an office of the state health department, issues them. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection now oversees septic permitting in the county.
This office serves Santa Rosa County, from Milton.
Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Onsite Sewage Disposal · checked 2026-09-24
What does a septic permit cost in Santa Rosa County?
$433 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.
Applies to a new septic system permit, the permit cost.
In effect from July 1, 2024.
| TANK ABANDONMENT (includes inspection) | $113 | a abandonment system |
|---|---|---|
| NEW SYSTEM PERMIT | $433 | a new system |
| NEW SYSTEM PERMIT — Site Only (No permit issued) | $378 | a new system the source lists as site evaluation only, no permit issued |
| EXISTING SYSTEM (Like for Like) Residential | $112 | a home with a existing_like_for_like system |
| EXISTING SYSTEM (Like for Like) Commercial | $162 | a business with a existing_like_for_like system |
| MODIFICATION PERMIT | $326 | a modification system the source lists as if existing system needs to be upgraded |
| REPAIR PERMIT | $288 | a repair system |
| site re-evaluation fee | $113 | a system the source lists as charged if the lot is not accessible for the site visit |
| DOH inspection fee | $75 | a system the source lists as construction inspection fee, charged before inspection; not included in other permit fees except abandonment |
This fee pays for the permit. A site check alone costs less.
Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Information Required for Septic Applications (2024) · checked 2026-09-24
Is the soil in Santa Rosa County suitable for a septic system?
USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 67.1% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.
USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24
What Santa Rosa County sets itself
The state writes the code. Santa Rosa County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Florida requirements.
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Santa Rosa County requires central sewer, not septic, for new subdivisions in Garcon Point and south of East River. This applies to a home built there and to a job of 750 gallons a day or more.
The county allows an exception for extreme hardship. Its Land Development Code defines that term. The state septic rule sets no such area-wide sewer rule.
Santa Rosa County 2040 Comprehensive Plan — Policy Document, Infrastructure Element, Policy 4.1.B.6 · checked 2026-09-24
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Santa Rosa County bans a septic system in a wetland area. The county or state health office may still allow one.
A health department may still allow a system in a wetland area. This is the county's own land-use policy, not the state's septic siting rule.
Santa Rosa County 2040 Comprehensive Plan — Policy Document, Conservation Element, Policy 6.1.A.10 · checked 2026-09-24
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$433
Applies to a new septic system permit, the permit cost.
This fee pays for the permit. A site check alone costs less.
Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Information Required for Septic Applications (2024) · checked 2026-09-24
Sources
Each figure above has a government source and a checked-on date. USDA's Soil Data Access service supplies the soil records. A script writes them, and nobody types them.
- Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Onsite Sewage Disposal
- Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Environmental Public Health (Location)
- Santa Rosa County Government — Septic Tanks
- Santa Rosa County 2040 Comprehensive Plan — Policy Document, Infrastructure Element, Policy 4.1.B.6
- Florida Department of Health in Santa Rosa County — Information Required for Septic Applications (2024)
- Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.004, Application for System Construction Permit
- USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO)
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 Santa Rosa County, Environmental Public Health, on 850-983-5275.