Skip Global navigation and goto content

Onsite Sewage Treatment & Disposal Systems (OSTDS)

Florida Department of Health in Hardee County

NOTE: Effective July 1, 2021, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida's Clean Waterways Act of 2020, the county health department offices will continue to do the permitting and inspection for septic tanks; please continue to work with them for all of your permitting-related needs. If you have questions, please contact OSTDS_Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov.

 

Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, commonly referred to as septic systems, are a safe and effective means of wastewater disposal for 30 percent of Florida’s population. The OSTDS program ensures that the OSTDS is properly designed, constructed, and maintained through permitting and inspection and contributes to safe ground water, which provides 90 percent of Florida’s drinking water. 

The governing authorities for this program and all forms can be found at https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage.

 

Bill Pay 

Environmental Health bills and fees can be paid in person or by mail at the address below or you can visit our bill pay site at MyFloridaEHPermit.com.

 

Location & Contact Information 

Find local contact information at the following FDOH-location-finder

 

Private Provider Inspections 

Starting July 1, 2022, owners or contractors with owner authorization have the option to hire a private provider to perform inspections of OSTDS. DEP has begun implementation of this new law. Visit Private Provider Inspections of OSTDS | Florida Department of Environmental Protection for more information.

 

OSTDS Operating Permits (only apply to counties that use operating permits)

Operating permits are required for aerobic treatment units (ATU), performance based treatments systems (PBTS), commercial septic systems, and industrial or manufacturing zoned (or equivalent) septic systems.

 

Commonly referred to as septic tanks, these systems provide a viable wastewater treatment and disposal option for residential and commercial applications when central sewerage service is not available.

Permits
All proposed new installations, repairs, modifications and approvals of existing systems require a permit from the Florida Department of Health in Hardee County.

Forms

Septic Permit Application Packet (PDF 1 mb - opens in new window)

Application for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Construction Permit - Form DEP 4015 page 1 (PDF 112 kb - opens in new window)

Site Plan for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal System Construction Permit - Form DEP 4015 page 2 (PDF 132 kb - opens in new window)

Existing System and System Repair Evaluation - Form DEP 4015 page 4 (PDF 114 kb - opens in new window)

Fees

New Onsite Septic Application with one inspection - $480.00
Additional inspections - $100.00
Existing Modification with changes - $425.00
Septic Repair - $390.00
Septic Tank Abandonment - $50.00
Existing System No Inspection / No changes - $35.00

Regulatory Code
Chapter 64E-6, Florida Administrative Code - Standards for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (PDF 1.4 mb - opens in new window)