Florida Department of Health in Charlotte County's (DOH-Charlotte) Environmental Public Health staff, as part of the Onsite Sewage Program, inspects and issues permits for Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems (OSTDS) in Charlotte County, Florida, that produce 10,000 gallons or less of domestic strength sewage flow or 5,000 gallons or less of commercial strength sewage per day. 

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)is responsible for implementing the Florida Statutes and regulations applicable to OSTDS. Under Florida's Clean Waterways Act of 2020, some county health departments, such as DOH-Charlotte, will continue to inspect and issue permits for septic systems until the transfer to DEP is complete.

OSTDS Complaints

An OSTDS, also known as a septic system, is a wastewater management system used to treat and dispose of sewage from a building (typically a home or business) directly on the property where it is generated, rather than sending it to a centralized municipal sewer system.

Contact DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health to file a complaint about any the following issues occurring in Charlotte County, Florida:

• Untreated or improperly treated human waste
• Improperly built or maintained septic tanks, water closets, or privies
• Air pollutants, gases, and noisome odors which are harmful to human or animal life
• The creation, maintenance, or causing of any condition capable of breeding flies, mosquitoes, or other arthropods capable of transmitting diseases to humans.
• Any other condition determined to be a sanitary nuisance as defined in Florida Statute 386.01.

OSTDS Forms

• Charlotte County Contractor Registration Application
• Declaration of Restrictions/Utility Easement
• Declaration of Restrictions/Utility Easement for Duplexes
• Declaration of Restrictions/Utility Easement for In-ground Nitrogen-reducing Biofilters (INRB)
• OSTD Forms - Florida Deparment of Environmental Protection (DEP)
• Performance Based Treatment Systems (PBTS) Deed Notice

OSTDS Permits 

The following OSTDS permits can be requested from DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health:

• Abandonment After Septic System is Disconnected
• Existing System Approval for Change of Use
• New Septic System Installation
• Repair or Replacement of Existing Septic System

The following OSTDS operating permits can be requested from DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health:

• Aerobic Treatment Units (ATU)
• Industrial/Manufacuring Zone or Systems Receiving Commercial Waste
• Performance Based Systems
• Temporary Holding Tanks
• Variances

Septic Tank Contractors

Florida Department of Health's Onsite Wastewater section licenses septic tank contractors in the state. It also has a hands-on training center to provide basic and continuing education courses to Florida Department of Health staff and licensed contractors.

For more information about septic tank contractors, take a look at the following resources:

• Active Registered and Master Septic Tank Contractors
• Septic Tank Contractor Enforcements
• Septic Tank Contractor Registration - Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

To report unlawful septic contracting, contact DOH-Charlotte's Environmental Public Health.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health's Onsite Sewage Program webpage.