Septic excavation in St. Cloud

Outside the reach of sewer lines, a house in Osceola County needs an onsite sewage treatment and disposal system, the formal name for a septic system. The excavation is the tank hole and the drainfield, but the permit comes first.

Who issues the permit

Florida moved its onsite sewage program from the Department of Health to the Department of Environmental Protection effective July 1, 2021. DEP's permitting FAQ says DEP itself now issues permits in Northwest Florida and Marion County, while county health departments still issue them elsewhere. Check DEP's FAQ to confirm who handles Osceola County before you apply.

What the application needs

For counties still handled by the health department, DEP's FAQ lists:

• The application, a site plan and a building floor plan
• The fee, set by the county health department based on system type and services
• A site evaluation of the soil, terrain and other conditions, done by a qualified professional; the health department can do it for a fee

DEP notes that many counties have local ordinances stricter than the state rules.

Planning the dig

• Place the pool, driveway and any outbuildings around the approved tank and drainfield.
• Keep heavy equipment off the drainfield area during clearing and grading.
• Request Sunshine 811 marks before the dig.