Onsite Sewage FAQ - Permitting
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The Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System (OSTDS) permitting program has implemented the first phase of the transition from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). DEP is permitting OSTDS in Northwest Florida and Marion County. The transition of the remaining 50 counties will occur depending on legislative approval.
Transition Timeline
- Phase 1 (Escambia County to Jefferson County): January 2, 2025.
- Marion County: July 1, 2025.
- Remaining counties: To be determined depending on legislative approval.
How do I get a permit to construct a septic tank system or other onsite sewage treatment and disposal system (OSTDS)?
During the transition period, applicants will apply for permits and services in two separate ways, depending on in which county they are requesting a permit. Please see the table below for instructions for your county:
| County | Instructions |
| Bay Calhoun Escambia Franklin Gadsden Gulf Holmes Jackson Jefferson Leon Liberty Marion Okaloosa Santa Rosa Wakulla Walton Washington | To apply for a permit, download and complete an Application Form (DEP4015, page 1), complete a Site Plan (DEP4015, page 2), obtain a copy of the building’s floor plan and use the new online permit and service request portal to complete the application. Important: A site evaluation (DH4015, page 3) assesses soil, topography and other conditions to determine the suitability of the property for OSTDS installation. Applicants may choose to have DEP conduct the evaluation or hire a qualified private site evaluator. If you choose to hire a private site evaluator, the evaluation must be completed before submitting this application. Additionally, the completed site evaluation must be uploaded as part of your application. Paper submissions will still be accepted by mail; however, using the portal will guarantee your information is in the database immediately and will reduce processing time. Applicants can mail documents to the following address: Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection |
| Alachua Baker Bradford Brevard Broward Charlotte Citrus Clay Collier Columbia DeSoto Dixie Duval Flagler Glades Hamilton Hardee Hendry Hernando Highlands Hillsborough Indian River Lake Lee Levy Madison Manatee Martin Miami-Dade Monroe Nassau Okeechobee Orange Osceola Palm Beach Pasco Pinellas Polk Putnam Sarasota Seminole St. Johns St. Lucie Sumter Suwannee Taylor Union Volusia | Permits for OSTDS in these counties are issued by the Environmental Public Health Program of the Florida Department of Health's local county health department. To apply for a permit, download and complete an Application Form (DEP4015, page 1) and submit it, along with a Site Plan (DEP4015, page 2), a building floor plan and the required application fee to your local county health department. A Site Evaluation (DH4015, page 3) is needed to determine the conditions on your property and must be performed by a qualified professional. If you wish, your county health department can perform the site evaluation for a fee. Your county health department will also determine the total permitting fee (including any county fees) based on the type of system needed for your property and the services you ask them to provide. The information in your application, site plan, building plan and site evaluation will allow the Florida Department of Health to determine the construction needs for the system to serve your property. Applicants may also choose to hire a private site evaluator at their own expense. Please note that many counties have local ordinances that may exceed state requirements for OSTDS.
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Septic Tank Standards
Standards for septic tank systems and other OSTDS are found in section 381.0065, Florida Statutes and Chapter 62-6, F.A.C.
General Questions
If you have any general questions about septic tanks or other OSTDS permits, please contact OSTDS_Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov.