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Florida Septic Pumping & Service Directory

Florida county septic permit offices

In Florida, septic permits are handled county by county, not by your city. This page lists the office that takes septic applications in each of the 8 counties we cover, with phone numbers, addresses and how each one wants applications sent. Read the short guide first so you know whether your job needs a permit at all.

Who issues septic permits

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has run the state's septic program since July 1, 2021. The state calls these systems onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, or OSTDS. The technical standards are in Chapter 62-6 of the Florida Administrative Code (it used to be 64E-6).

DEP sets the rules, but in most counties you still apply at the county health department, which takes applications and issues permits on DEP's behalf. That is the case in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties.

Marion County is different. Since July 1, 2025, DEP has issued septic permits in Marion County directly. If you live anywhere in Marion County, including Ocala and Belleview, you apply to DEP, not to the county health department. Our guide on who regulates septic systems in Florida explains the change in more detail.

What needs a permit, and what doesn't

State law says no one may build, repair, change or abandon a septic system without a permit first. In practice:

  • Needs a permit: a new system, a system replacement, most repairs, changes to an existing system (for example, adding a bedroom), and abandoning a tank. Repairs usually need a permit, so ask before work starts.
  • Operating permits: an aerobic treatment unit also needs an operating permit, valid for 2 years and renewed every 2 years. County health department pages list operating permits for performance-based treatment systems and commercial systems too.
  • No repair permit: routine septic tank pumping. Rule 62-6.002 says pumping out a tank, where the drain field is not disturbed, is not a repair, so it does not need a repair permit. Local rules can differ, so ask your county permit office. The rule also does not count replacing a broken lid, installing an approved outlet filter, swapping a pump or part for a like-for-like one, or minor structural fixes to a tank as repairs.

Some areas have extra rules. Since July 1, 2023, a new system on a lot of 1 acre or less inside a basin management action plan (BMAP) area must be a nitrogen-reducing system where sewer is not available. In Orange County's Wekiwa and Rock Springs Priority Focus Area (part of unincorporated Orange County), a repair or modification permit on a lot under 1 acre has required an upgrade to a system that removes at least 65% of nitrogen since March 1, 2025. See our guide to nitrogen-reducing septic systems.

What to have ready

DEP's permitting FAQ lists what a construction permit application includes:

  • The application form (Form DEP 4015, page 1)
  • A site plan (Form DEP 4015, page 2)
  • A copy of the building's floor plan
  • A site evaluation that looks at soil, topography and other site conditions. For DEP-permitted counties such as Marion, the FAQ says you can have DEP do it or hire a qualified private site evaluator; a private evaluation has to be finished and uploaded with the application. Seminole County asks for a site evaluation by a qualified professional.
  • The application fee. In counties where the health department issues permits, it sets the total fee, including any county fees. The FAQ lists no fee for DEP-permitted counties such as Marion. Either way, ask the office for the current amount.

Have the property address and parcel number at hand when you call. On most repair and replacement jobs the septic contractor prepares and files the paperwork, so ask who will apply and whose name will be on the permit. Our contractor verification worksheet shows how to check the contractor's DEP registration first.

Phone numbers and addresses below are the ones published by DEP, by each county health department, or on the state health department's county contact list. Offices change, so confirm on the linked page before you visit.

Hillsborough County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Hillsborough County on behalf of Florida DEP.

Environmental Health is on the second floor. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, closed from noon to 12:30 p.m.

How to apply: Applications can go by email, mail or fax (813-272-7242), or be dropped off in person. If you send it by fax or email, include a completed credit card authorization form or pay by phone.

Cities we cover here: Tampa, Brandon, Plant City and Lutz. See all septic companies in Hillsborough County.

Orange County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Orange County on behalf of Florida DEP.

How to apply: Permit applications go to the email address above. The office's septic page also has an online form to request construction and final inspections.

Cities we cover here: Orlando and Winter Park. See all septic companies in Orange County.

Pinellas County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Pinellas County on behalf of Florida DEP.

How to apply: The septic page itself gives the health department's general line, 727-824-6900. The Environmental Health phone and address above come from the state health department's county contact list. Call to confirm how the office wants applications sent.

Cities we cover here: St. Petersburg and Clearwater. See all septic companies in Pinellas County.

Pasco County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Pasco County on behalf of Florida DEP.

How to apply: The office's septic page has separate application packets for new systems, repairs, existing systems (with or without an added bedroom), abandonment, and garages, sheds and pools. You can also call 352-521-1450, option 3.

Cities we cover here: Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. See all septic companies in Pasco County.

Seminole County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Seminole County on behalf of Florida DEP.

Mail goes to 400 W. Airport Blvd., Sanford, FL 32773, attention Environmental Public Health Program.

How to apply: Complete Form DEP 4015 (Application for Construction Permit), have a qualified professional do the site evaluation, then send it by email, mail or in person. The inspection line is 407-665-3239.

Cities we cover here: Sanford and Oviedo. See all septic companies in Seminole County.

Osceola County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Osceola County on behalf of Florida DEP.

How to apply: The septic page does not set out the steps, so call or email the office before you apply.

Cities we cover here: Kissimmee and St. Cloud. See all septic companies in Osceola County.

Lake County

Who issues permits: The health department issues septic permits throughout Lake County on behalf of Florida DEP.

How to apply: Lake's Environmental Health page lists septic system permitting as one of its services but has no separate septic page. Call or email to ask how to apply.

Cities we cover here: Clermont and Leesburg. See all septic companies in Lake County.

Marion County

Who issues permits: Since July 1, 2025, Florida DEP issues septic permits in Marion County directly; the county health department no longer does. Applications go through DEP's online portal at ostds.floridadep.gov.

DEP does not publish a Marion County office address. Paper applications go by mail to Florida DEP, Division of Water Resource Management, Onsite Sewage Program, 2600 Blair Stone Road, MS #3599, Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400.

How to apply: Apply through DEP's online permit portal at ostds.floridadep.gov, or on paper by mail. Do not send septic applications to the Marion County health department, which no longer issues them.

Cities we cover here: Ocala and Belleview. See all septic companies in Marion County.

Before you call

  • Routine pumping is not a repair under Florida's septic rule, so it does not need a repair permit. If you are not sure whether your job needs one, ask the office.
  • For a repair, ask the office whether your lot is in an area with nitrogen-reducing rules. That can change what the repair must include.
  • If the home is in a flood zone or the water table is high, ask the office whether that affects what can be built on your lot. See flood zones and septic systems.

Our county septic resource finder links each county to its office. To check a contractor before you sign, use our worksheet on how to verify a Florida septic contractor.

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