Septic Installation in Florida
A new or replacement septic system is designed for the house and the lot, permitted, and installed with a tank and drain field. Some lots need an alternative system, such as an aerobic unit or a raised (mound) drain field.
When do you need a new septic system?
- A drain field that has failed beyond repair
- Building a new home or adding bedrooms
- A tank that is cracked or collapsing
- A system too small for the household
What does a new septic system include?
- Site and soil evaluation
- System design and permit application
- Tank and drain field installation
- Inspection before the system is covered
How much does a new septic system cost?
$3,500–$9,000: new conventional septic system (tank and drain field). Published cost ranges; your quote depends on the size of the job, access and the system's condition.
What drives the price
- A conventional system: published ranges run about $3,500–$9,000; the EPA puts repairing or replacing a malfunctioning conventional system at $5,000–$15,000.
- Alternative systems cost more: published national ranges put an aerobic system at about $10,000–$40,000 and an above-ground (mound) system at about $10,000–$50,000, and engineered systems on difficult sites can cost more still.
- Location: since July 1, 2023, new systems on lots of one acre or less inside Florida's nutrient (BMAP) areas must be nitrogen-reducing where sewer is not available.
- In Seminole County, for example, the health department charges $350 for a repair permit and $425 for a new system (FY 2025-2026); other counties set their own fees.
Sources: HomeGuide, Fixr, U.S. EPA. Figures last checked November 2026. Full breakdown in the Florida septic cost guide.
Learn more: New septic system installation cost in Florida
How the job usually works
- Site evaluation: soil and water table checks on the lot.
- Design and permit application to the county health department (Florida DEP in Marion County).
- Installation of the tank and drain field, or an alternative system where the lot needs one.
- Inspection before the system is covered, then final approval.
Florida rules and practical points
- A new septic system needs a permit before construction.
- Since July 1, 2023, new systems on lots of one acre or less in Florida's nutrient (BMAP) areas must be nitrogen-reducing where sewer is not available.
- The state sets base permit fees in Rule 62-6.030, F.A.C.; county health departments add their own.
Sources and detail: Florida septic regulations.
Questions to ask septic companies about new septic system
- What type of system does my lot need, and why?
- Is my lot in a springs or nutrient protection area that requires a nitrogen-reducing system?
- What do the permit and design fees come to, and are they in the price?
- How long does permit approval usually take?
- What warranty covers the tank, the drain field and any pumps?
More on reading quotes side by side: how to compare septic quotes.
Septic Installation companies by city
56 listings in this directory offer new septic system somewhere in Florida. The table shows how many serve each city we cover, including companies that work statewide. Orlando has the most (26), and St. Petersburg the fewest (8).
Wondering about price? See the Florida septic cost guide.
Septic Installation: common questions
Does a new septic system need a permit in Florida?
Yes. Florida law requires a permit to build a septic system. The county health department issues it in most counties; in Marion County, Florida DEP does.
What is a nitrogen-reducing septic system?
A system that removes at least 50% of the nitrogen before the wastewater reaches the drain field, or at least 65% counting the tank and drain field together. Since July 1, 2023, new systems on lots of one acre or less in Florida's nutrient (BMAP) areas must be this type when sewer is not available.
How long does a septic tank last?
The EPA says a concrete septic tank may last 50 years or more, while pumps and controls often need replacing every 10 to 20 years.