Septic rules in Brevard County
Brevard County's Save Our Indian River Lagoon page says a court-ordered moratorium is in place on new septic permits in the North Indian River Lagoon. Across the county's Indian River Lagoon Protection Program area, any new septic system has needed nitrogen reduction since January 1, 2024, whatever the lot size, and the county says existing systems there must upgrade or connect by July 1, 2030, a deadline DEP's own documents date differently.
For an upgrade of a conventional system in the lagoon watershed, the county offers eligible homeowners grants of up to $20,000 through IRLproject@brevardfl.gov or 321-633-2016. Permits come from the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, Environmental Public Health Services, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Suite A116, Viera, open Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm at 321-633-2100. Applications go by email, as PDFs, to Brevard.SepticApplication@FLHealth.gov. The Rev 08/26 packet lists a new system at $510.00, or $395.00 with a site evaluation submitted, and a performance based system at $520.00 or $405.00.
Holding tanks are $260.00 and the county density ordinance review is $90.00. Brevard's 12 places over 10,000 people count 447,424 residents, below the county figure. Melbourne's city system serves 167,753 people from surface water and Palm Bay's 140,750 from ground water, says EPA, though that list doesn't tell you about septic.
The county's rules, line by line
- Who permits septic systems
- Florida Department of Health in Brevard County, Environmental Public Health Services, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Suite A116, Viera, FL 32940-6605; 321-633-2100, fax 321-633-2163; Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. Applications to Brevard.SepticApplication@FLHealth.gov (PDF format).
- Governing code
- A county density ordinance applies to new systems; its review is a $90.00 line on the Rev 08/26 packet.
- Inspection at sale
- The county says it has no such rule. A state statute, section 381.0065(4)(v), bars any government-mandated septic inspection at the point of sale in a Florida real estate transaction.
- Permit steps
- Applications and inspection requests go by email. Operating-permit contacts: Brevard.ATU@FLHealth.gov, Brevard.MEContracts@FLHealth.gov and Brevard.MEInspections@FLHealth.gov.
- Still to confirm with the county
- Indian River Lagoon: nitrogen-reducing systems are required for new septic systems on lots of all sizes from January 1, 2024; a court-ordered moratorium on new septic permits applies in the North Indian River Lagoon; existing systems in the program area must upgrade or connect by July 1, 2030 (county statement; DEP documents print different dates). Homeowner upgrade grants of up to $20,000: IRLproject@brevardfl.gov or 321-633-2016.
Septic fees in Brevard County
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| New system without site evaluation | $510.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| New system with site evaluation submitted | $395.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| New performance based treatment system, without / with site evaluation | $520.00 / $405.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Holding tank(s) | $260.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Site evaluation only | $115.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Mound stabilization inspection | $75.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Separate excavation inspection | $60.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Amendment to a permit | $55.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Re-inspection | $75.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| Repeat site evaluation | $50.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| County density ordinance review | $90.00 | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
| State variance application | $300.00 residential, $425.00 commercial or multi-family | New-systems application packet, Rev 08/26 |
Rules and fees change every year, so confirm a line with the health department before you rely on it. "No rule found" means the pages and code we have say nothing on that line, which isn't the same as the county telling you there's no rule. To compare counties, use the county rules lookup.
What septic work costs
These are statewide Florida estimates from our model, so they aren't Brevard County prices; where the county posts its own permit fees, they are on this page.
| Job | Estimated range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Septic pumping | $230 to $730 | per visit |
| Septic inspection | $115 to $470 | per inspection |
| Drain field | $675 to $4,550 | per repair |
These are estimates, not quotes. How we estimate costs.