House Bill 287 amends section 381.0065 of the Florida Statutes, which regulates onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems. The bill modifies the conditions under which municipalities and political subdivisions can issue building and plumbing permits for these systems. Notably, it changes the requirement for obtaining a construction permit from "received" to "applied for," meaning that builders or owners must apply for a construction permit before a building or plumbing permit can be issued. Additionally, it stipulates that a building or structure cannot be occupied until the final installation of the sewage system is approved by the department. The bill also introduces various conditions for the installation and operation of these systems, including permit validity periods, inspection requirements, and the establishment of a variance review committee to address hardship cases.

Furthermore, the bill aims to streamline the permitting and maintenance processes for onsite sewage treatment systems in Florida. It mandates that county health departments request additional information within five working days for incomplete engineer-designed system permit applications and requires them to issue a permit or notify the applicant of non-compliance within 15 working days of receiving a complete application. The bill allows property owners of single-family residences to maintain their own performance-based treatment systems with proper training and certification. It also includes provisions for biennial operating permits, inspections, and specific rules for the Florida Keys, while prohibiting local governments from imposing new permit requirements that differ from those in effect at the time of the system's original approval. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 287 Filed: 381.0065