Septic Tank Installation: Site Evaluation and Permits in Tallahassee FL
Before anyone digs, the state wants to know what is under your lot and where everything will sit. We handle the site check and put the paperwork together so the permit goes in complete.
- Soil and water-table readings
- Site plan and floor plan ready
- Springs-basin check for your parcel
- No digging before approval
✓ Licensed and insured. Many years in business serving the greater Tallahassee area.
What a site evaluation looks at
Think of it as a physical for your lot. The results decide everything that follows.
- Soil type and layers. Clay, sand and rock all handle wastewater differently.
- Wet-season water table. The drainfield bottom must sit at least 24 inches above it (rule text).
- Setbacks. Wells, water lines, buildings, property lines and surface water all have required gaps.
- Slope and drainage. Water should run away from the field, not toward it.
- Open area. The state wants room to repair or expand the field later (rule text).
The permit package, piece by piece
| Piece | What it is | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Application | State form describing the property and system | FDEP permitting FAQ |
| Site plan | A scaled drawing of the lot, house, well, tank and drainfield | FDEP permitting FAQ |
| Floor plan | Shows bedrooms and the size of the house, which drive the flow estimate | FDEP permitting FAQ |
| Fee | Paid with the application | FDEP permitting FAQ |
| Building permit link | A septic permit application or waiver letter goes in a Leon County home-permit package | Leon County checklist |
Forms and offices change. Since January 2, 2025, DEP runs septic permitting in Leon County (Florida Health notice). We confirm current steps for your address.
From call to approved permit
- You call or send the form. Tell us the address and what you plan to build.
- We check the parcel. That includes the springs-basin map and sewer availability.
- We evaluate the site. Soil and water-table readings are taken in the field.
- We prepare the package. Site plan, floor plan and application are put together.
- The state reviews it. You may get questions. We help you answer them.
- You get the permit. Then, and only then, installation can begin.
What can slow a permit down
- Missing floor plan or fee
- A well or water line too close to the field
- A water table too high for the lot
- A springs-basin lot where the wrong system type was drawn
- A site plan that does not match the building permit
Do I need a pro for this?
Yes for installation, repair, changes and closure. Florida requires a permit for each, and a registered contractor does the work (contractor list). Read the full Leon County permit guide.
Where we do this work
Soil and permit notes for each town are on our locations page. Return to the home page for the full service list.
Site evaluation and permit questions
What is a septic site evaluation?
It is a check of your lot's soil, wet-season water table, slope and setbacks. The results set what kind of system is allowed and how big the drainfield must be.
What goes in a septic permit application?
DEP's permitting FAQ lists the application form (DEP 4015, page 1), a site plan (page 2), a building floor plan and the fee (FDEP FAQ). Check current forms for your county.
Does a new home need anything besides a septic permit?
Yes. Leon County's residential permit checklist asks for a septic permit application or a waiver letter inside the building permit package (county checklist).
What soils are hardest for septic?
Florida rule calls clay, bedrock, oolitic limestone, fractured rock, hardpan, organic soil and gravel or coarse sand with a high water table severely limited soils (Rule 62-6.006).
Who handles septic permits in my county?
DEP manages them in Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden and Jefferson counties, among 16 (Florida Health).
Can a permit be denied?
Yes, if the lot cannot meet the rules. That is why we check soil and setbacks first. Ask us about nitrogen-reducing options if space is tight.
Get your lot checked first
A good site evaluation saves time and money. Send your address and we will take it from there.