Septic rules and requirements in Walton County, Florida

Who issues septic permits in Walton County?

Onsite Sewage Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, at 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #3599, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400, 850-595-0656.

Walton County does not issue septic permits. The Onsite Sewage Program, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the state office that now permits septic systems in this county, issues them.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting · checked 2026-09-23

What does a septic permit cost in Walton County?

$100 for a septic system permit, on the county's own schedule.

Applies to a construction permit for a new septic system, with plan review.

The state sets one fee schedule for every Florida county. The Department uses this schedule here too. A site evaluation and the initial inspection cost extra.

Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030, Fees · checked 2026-09-23

Is the soil in Walton County suitable for a septic system?

USDA rates most of the county Very limited for septic absorption fields — 80.3% of the rated acres. A rating describes the ground, not a parcel. The county's site evaluation decides each lot.

• Very limited — 540,195 acres — 80.3% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Somewhat limited — 131,018 acres — 19.5% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Not limited — 1,877 acres — 0.3% of 673,090 rated acres.
• Not rated — 61,810 acres, excluded from the denominator — mostly urban land and water.

USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

What Walton County sets itself

The state writes the code. Walton County adds the rules below. They are what makes this page differ from the Florida requirements.

• 100 feet

  Applies to a lot by a coastal dune lake with no sewer line.

  A drainfield may sit no closer than 100 feet from the lake's water line. Where a sewer connection is available, the county bars a new septic system there outright.

  Walton County Land Development Code, Chapter 4, §4.02.03(E), Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone · checked 2026-09-24

• Required

  Applies to new building on land that drains to a coastal dune lake.

  The rule covers a coastal dune lake watershed. It does not cover the rest of the county.

  Walton County Comprehensive Plan, Coastal Management Element, Policy CM-1.1.6 · checked 2026-09-24

• Yes. On a lot the county's soils map flags for moderate to severe limitations, a detailed soils analysis is required. Development must cluster on the least restricted part of the site.

  Applies to a lot where the county soils map shows limits on septic use.

  If the soil fails for a tank, the county may require an aerobic system instead.

  Walton County Land Development Code, Chapter 4, §4.00.02(A), General Requirements · 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.

1. Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage FAQ, Permitting · checked 2026-09-23
2. Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Onsite Sewage Program Staff Directory · checked 2026-09-23
3. Walton County Land Development Code, Chapter 4, §4.02.03(E), Coastal Dune Lake Protection Zone · checked 2026-09-24
4. Walton County Comprehensive Plan, Coastal Management Element, Policy CM-1.1.6 · checked 2026-09-24
5. Florida Administrative Code, Rule 62-6.030, Fees · checked 2026-09-23
6. Walton County Building Department — DEP Septic System Approval Disclosure Statement · checked 2026-09-24
7. USDA NRCS Soil Data Access (SSURGO) · checked 2026-09-24

Related pages

• Septic rules in Walton County
• Septic permits and fees in Walton County, Florida
• Soil and perc tests in Walton County, Florida
• Septic rules and requirements in Florida