FloridaSingle-family home permits do not require prior state septic permit approval
Florida homeowners and builders can seek local permits for single-family homes without waiting for state septic permit approval, but must show they submitted a septic application.
What it does
Local governments cannot hold up a single-family home's building or plumbing permit for state septic permit approval. Owners or builders must show they applied, and state approval remains required before occupancy.
Owners or applicants bear all legal, financial, and safety responsibility for septic construction started before its permit is issued. The law still requires a permit before construction.
State rules for using and installing septic systems do not apply to permit applications submitted within 90 days after each new rule is adopted.
Argument forAllowing local home permits while state septic applications are pending could help builders avoid waiting before starting other home construction.
Argument againstOwners or applicants who start septic construction before permit approval could face legal claims and financial losses if their work needs changes.
More detail
Local governments cannot require state septic construction permit approval before issuing a single-family home's building or plumbing permit. This applies to single-family homes that need a septic system, which treats sewage on the property. The owner or builder must show proof of submitting the septic permit application when applying for the local permit. People cannot occupy the home until the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approves the septic system's final installation. These provisions took effect when the law became law on May 6, 2026.
The property owner or permit applicant must accept all legal, financial, and safety responsibility arising from septic construction started before its permit is issued. This applies when septic system construction begins before the system's permit is issued. The law also requires an approved state permit before constructing a septic system. This provision took effect when the law became law on May 6, 2026.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection cannot apply a new septic use or installation rule to permit applications submitted within 90 days after the rule is adopted. This covers rules the department adopts under the state's septic system law for using and installing those systems. This provision took effect July 1, 2026. Each 90-day window runs from the adoption date of the particular rule.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 7Chapter No. 2026-62Latest
- May 6Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Apr 30Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 109, NAYS 0Major
- Mar 12Amendment 596626 Concur
- Mar 12Added to Senate Message List
- Mar 11In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11CS passed as amended; YEAS 38 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Amendment(s) adopted (596626)
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Substituted for CS/CS/SB 698
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 26Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 25In Messages
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 113, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 11Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 101st Reading (Committee Substitute 3)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 10CS FiledMinor
- Feb 10Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 10Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 10Favorable with CS by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 6Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 29Now in State Affairs Committee
- Jan 29Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 281st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28CS FiledMinor
- Jan 28Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 28Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 26Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 22Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 22Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 22Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 211st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 21CS FiledMinor
- Jan 21Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 20Reported out of Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Dec 12Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee
- Dec 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 2FiledIntroduced
HousingEnvironment & Energy