City of Cocoa adopts framework for mandatory sewer hookups after heated public comment

The City Council of Cocoa on May 13 advanced an ordinance on first reading creating a framework under which the city can require property owners to discontinue functioning septic systems and connect to the municipal sewer when the council approves a sewer line expansion project.

The ordinance (Ordinance No. 03-2025) would add section 22-5.2 to the city code and amend section 22-5 to clarify when and how mandatory hookups could be required, and to authorize assessment and cost-recovery methods that the council could apply on a project-by-project basis. The council voted to approve the ordinance on first reading after a lengthy public hearing; the vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: the ordinance sets legal groundwork for the proposed Indian River Drive septic-to-sewer conversion (the J and K project) and for future expansion projects. Supporters argued a mandatory-connection framework is necessary to qualify for state and federal grants and to protect public health and the Indian River Lagoon; opponents said the draft leaves homeowners exposed to uncertain costs and asked the council to rescind earlier direction assigning potential cost overruns to a small group of homes.

City Attorney Anthony Garganese read the ordinance and described it as a framework that would allow…