Answer a few questions to get your system recommendation, estimated drain field size, and permit timeline.
Step 1 — Bedrooms
1
2
3
4
5
6+
Step 2 — Soil Type
🏖️Fine Sand Very Fast
🪨Coarse Sand Fast
🌱Sandy Loam Medium
🌿Loam Moderate
🔵Clay Loam Slow
⚠️Clay/Muck Advanced Req.
Step 3 — Site Conditions
High water table (<24" depth)
Near surface water / OFW area
FL Design Flow Rates (64E-6)
Bedrooms
Min. Daily Flow
Design Flow
1–2
150 gpd
150 gpd
3
150 gpd
225 gpd
4
150 gpd
300 gpd
5
150 gpd
375 gpd
6
150 gpd
450 gpd
7+
150 gpd
75 gpd × beds
Florida uses 75 gallons per day per bedroom for residential design flow per FAC 64E-6.008.
Soil Loading Rates
Soil Type
LTAR (gpd/sqft)
Drain Field / 100 gpd
Fine Sand
1.2
83 sqft
Coarse Sand
0.8
125 sqft
Sandy Loam
0.5
200 sqft
Loam
0.4
250 sqft
Clay Loam
0.3
333 sqft
Clay / Muck
N/A
Advanced system
⚠️ Soil must be evaluated by a FL-licensed soil evaluator. Loading rates here are estimates only.
⚠️ Troubleshooting Signs
●
Sewage odors in yard or home
●
Slow drains throughout house (not just one fixture)
●
Wet or soggy ground over drain field
●
Bright green grass patch over drain field
●
Gurgling sounds from toilets and drains
●
Sewage backing up into home
●
System hasn't been pumped in 5+ years
🚨 Sewage backup or severe odors = call immediately: (561) 316-7450
📋 FL Septic Rules & Permits
75 ft
From potable well
10 ft
From property line
5 ft
From foundation
5 yrs
Pump-out cycle
📜 FL Statute 381.0065 — Septic Authority
▼
Florida Statute 381.0065 grants the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) authority over onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (OSTDS). Key provisions:
• All OSTDS must be permitted and inspected by the county health department before installation.
• Permits are required for new systems, repair, modification, and abandonment.
• Systems must comply with FAC 64E-6 minimum standards.
• Counties may impose stricter requirements in their jurisdictions.
• FDOH maintains statewide inspection and enforcement authority.
• Penalty for operating without a permit: civil fine up to $5,000 per day.
📏 FAC 64E-6 — Setback Requirements
▼
Feature
Septic Tank
Drain Field
Potable well
50 ft
75 ft
Non-potable well
50 ft
75 ft
Property line
5 ft
10 ft
Building foundation
5 ft
5 ft
Tidal water / canal
50 ft
50 ft
Freshwater / lakes
50 ft
75 ft
Road right-of-way
5 ft
15 ft
Drainage ditch
5 ft
10 ft
Swimming pool
5 ft
5 ft
Private road
5 ft
10 ft
⚠️ Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW) require 100 ft setback for drain fields. Check FDEP maps before siting.
🔄 FS 381.00655 — Mandatory Pump-Out
▼
FL law requires septic tanks to be pumped-out at minimum every 5 years. Key facts:
• Applies to all OSTDS statewide.
• New-home exemption: first pump-out due within 5 years of installation date.
• Owner must retain pump-out records for at least 5 years.
• Some counties (e.g., Pinellas, Indian River, Sarasota) enforce more frequently.
• Failing to comply can result in a Notice of Violation from the county health dept.
• Cost: typically $250–$450 for standard residential tank pump-out.
🏗️ Permit Process — Step by Step
▼
1
Site Evaluation — Hire a FL-licensed soil evaluator or engineer. Soil borings, water table depth, and site plan required. Cost: $300–$600.
2
Application Submission — Submit FDOH Form DH 4015 to the county health department with site plan, soil evaluation, and permit fee.
3
Plan Review — County reviews for code compliance. Typically 5–15 business days. Additional info may be requested.
4
Permit Issued — Permit valid for 18 months. Includes approved design, required inspections, and permit number.
5
Installation — Only FL-licensed septic contractors (CPSC or MRC) may install. Inspections required at each phase.
6
Final Inspection — County inspector verifies installation matches approved plans. Certificate of Completion issued.
7
Operating Permit — County issues operating permit after passing inspection. System legally operable.
🌊 Environmentally Sensitive Areas
▼
Certain FL areas require advanced treatment systems or prohibit OSTDS entirely:
• Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW): 100 ft drain field setback, PBTS may be required.
• Springs Protection Areas: Advanced N-removal systems required near springs.
• Florida Keys (Monroe Co.): Stringent nitrogen-removal requirements; nutrient-reducing systems mandated.
• Aquifer Protection Zones: Enhanced protection requirements in recharge areas.
• WBID Impaired Waters: Nutrient TMDL compliance may require system upgrades.
• Coastal setback lines: Systems near coastal construction control lines require DEP coordination.
Always check FDEP Oceans & Coastal Management and WMD maps before selecting a site.
🔑 System Abandonment Requirements
▼
When connecting to public sewer or replacing a system:
• An OSTDS abandonment permit is required from the county health dept.
• Tank must be pumped out by a licensed contractor.
• Tank must be crushed, filled with clean sand/gravel, or removed entirely.
• Drain field pipes must be removed or crushed.
• Certificate of abandonment issued by county health dept.
• Cost: $300–$800 for abandonment permit + contractor fee.
• Do NOT abandon a system without a permit — fines up to $5,000.
📞 County Health Departments
All 67 FL counties — your local health dept handles septic permits.
🔍
💰 Cost Guide
$8K
Conventional min.
$45K
PBTS max.
$350
Avg pump-out
20–30 yr
System lifespan
System Type Cost Comparison
System Type
Install Cost
Annual Maint.
Conventional
$8,000–$15,000
$70–$90
Mound
$12,000–$20,000
$90–$120
Low-Pressure Pipe
$12,000–$22,000
$120–$180
Drip Irrigation
$15,000–$25,000
$200–$350
Aerobic (ATU)
$15,000–$30,000
$400–$700
PBTS (Advanced)
$20,000–$45,000
$600–$1,200
Annual maintenance = pump-out amortized over 5 years + inspection/service contract.
Installation Cost Breakdown
Site evaluation & soil borings$300–$600
Permit application fee$325–$625
Septic tank (1,000 gal precast)$600–$1,000
Tank installation & burial$800–$1,500
Drain field excavation$1,500–$3,500
Drain field media & pipe$1,200–$2,800
Inlet/outlet pipe & fittings$400–$800
Backfill & grading$500–$1,200
Final inspection fee$75–$200
Total conventional$8,000–$15,000
Repair & Replacement Costs
Repair Type
Typical Cost
Urgency
Pump-out (routine)
$250–$450
Every 5 yrs
Outlet filter replacement
$75–$150
At pump-out
Baffle repair/replacement
$200–$500
As needed
Inlet/outlet pipe repair
$300–$800
Immediate
Risers & lids installation
$250–$600
Recommended
Drain field rejuvenation
$500–$2,000
Before replace
Drain field replacement
$4,000–$10,000
When failing
Full system replacement
$8,000–$20,000
End of life
Emergency pump-out
$450–$900
Immediate
Root intrusion clearing
$300–$1,200
When blocked
Tank structural repair
$500–$3,000
Safety issue
Pump & alarm (ATU)
$400–$1,500
As needed
Septic vs. Sewer — 20-Year Cost
Septic: Installation$10,000
Septic: 4× pump-outs$1,400
Septic: Repairs avg.$2,500
Septic 20-yr total~$13,900
Sewer: Connection fee$5,000–$15,000
Sewer: Monthly bill (avg.)$60/mo
Sewer: 20-yr payments$14,400
Sewer 20-yr total~$24,400
✅ Properly maintained septic typically saves $10,000+ vs. sewer over 20 years in FL.
Permit Fees by County (Sample)
County
New System
Repair
Miami-Dade
$625
$325
Broward
$585
$290
Palm Beach
$560
$280
Orange
$525
$265
Hillsborough
$510
$255
Pinellas
$490
$245
Duval
$475
$240
Lee
$450
$225
Sarasota
$440
$220
Polk
$415
$210
Brevard
$400
$200
Rural counties
$325–$375
$165–$185
Fees change annually — always verify with your county health dept before budgeting.
Frequently Asked Questions
📞 Get a Free Estimate
We handle septic permits, installations, pump-outs, and repairs for all 67 FL counties.