What the maintenance contract requires
Rule 62-6.012 makes a current, unexpired contract between the owner and an approved maintenance entity a condition of approval. The first agreement must run at least 2 years, and renewals at least 1 year for the life of the system.
The entity inspects each unit at least two times a year, four times for units serving commercial establishments, and reports to the department. DEP's main onsite sewage page lists approved maintenance entities by county or product.
What an aerobic unit costs installed in Florida
The model puts an installed aerobic system at $13,500 to $36,500 installed, an estimate, not a quote. Its base is one national range, widened 15 percent each side, with the Florida-to-US wage ratio for operating engineers applied.
One Florida company's installed price was countable, short of the five that would set a range on their own. The operating permit and maintenance contract are outside the figure.
Estimated range, not a quote: $13,500 to $36,500 installed. Built from one national published range, adjusted by the Florida operating engineer wage ratio (0.79). Two Florida septic companies publish a price we could count on their own websites; where five or more price the same job, the range is the middle half of their prices, and where two to four do, the estimate is widened to take them in. Coupons, specials and figures a page gives as an average are not counted. Basis: no state company sample (one counted Florida company price for this job), national estimate only.
Estimated range. Built from national published ranges (1 source), adjusted by Florida's operating engineer wage ratio to the US (0.79, BLS May 2025). Not a quote. Two Florida septic companies publish a price we could count on their own websites; where five or more price the same job, the range is the middle half of their prices, and where two to four do, the estimate is widened to take them in. Coupons, specials and figures a page gives as an average are not counted. Only one Florida company publishes a price we could count for this job, so the range is our national estimate alone. Full method. Prices as of Oct 24, 2026.
The operating permit and what counties charge
Section 381.0065 requires an operating permit before an aerobic unit is used, valid 2 years. DEP's fee rule lists $100 for the biennial operating permit and $25 a year for a maintenance-entity permit.
Counties differ. Lee County lists $175 for the two-year operating permit and Seminole County $150 for its ATU operation permit, while Brevard County's undated fee schedule shows the $100 state fee plus a $50 county fee.
Aerobic units that reduce nitrogen
Where a nitrogen-reducing system is required, one of the approved designs is a Florida-approved nitrogen-reducing aerobic treatment unit certified to NSF 245. In Brevard County, eligible owners in the Indian River Lagoon watershed can get a homeowner grant of up to $20,000 to upgrade a conventional system to an advanced one.
Alarms and symptoms that need a call
- The alarm is sounding and sewage is backing up or standing over the unit.
- A scheduled maintenance visit that is due within the contract term.
Before you sign or renew a contract
- Find the current contract and check that it has not expired.
- Ask the maintenance entity for the last two service reports it sent to the department.
- Ask the county health department when the operating permit is due and what it charges.
- Ask whether the unit is a nitrogen-reducing model approved for Florida.
Permits an aerobic unit holds
An aerobic unit needs a construction permit to install and an operating permit before use, valid 2 years. A system serving commercial waste needs an annual operating permit instead. In Lee County the maintenance entity's reports go to the county health department, which inspects at least once a year.
Questions people ask
Do aerobic septic systems in Florida need a maintenance contract?
Yes, a current contract with an approved maintenance entity, for at least 2 years at first. Renewals must be at least 1 year for the life of the system, under rule 62-6.012.
How often is an aerobic unit inspected in Florida?
At least two times a year by the maintenance entity. Units serving commercial establishments are inspected four times a year, and the entity reports to the department.
How much does an aerobic septic system cost in Florida?
An installed unit is $13,500 to $36,500 installed in the model, an estimate and not a quote. The figure scales a national range by Florida pay for equipment operators. The operating permit, which DEP's fee rule lists at $100 every two years, is separate.
- Rule 62-6.012, F.A.C. (flrules.org chapter file) Read Oct 24, 2026.
- s. 381.0065, F.S. (2025) Read Oct 24, 2026.
- Rule 62-6.030, F.A.C. (6/8/2026) Read Oct 24, 2026.
- DOH-Lee: New Septic System Application Requirements Read Oct 24, 2026.
- DOH-Seminole: Environmental Public Health Fee Schedule 2025-2026 (PDF) Read Oct 24, 2026.
- DOH-Brevard: Environmental Health Fee Schedule (PDF) Read Oct 24, 2026. Check this with the source before you count on it.
- DEP: Permitting of ENR-OSTDS, House Bill 1379 Read Oct 24, 2026.
- Brevard County: Homeowner Grants Read Oct 24, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (SOC 47-2073), Florida, mean hourly wage Read Oct 24, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators (SOC 47-2073), United States, mean hourly wage Read Oct 23, 2026.
- SepticMatch: how we estimate costs, Florida (editorial policy) Read Oct 24, 2026.
- DOH-Lee: Aerobic Treatment Units Read Oct 24, 2026.