County staff to rework permitting process after Florida DEP takes over septic permits in August

County staff told commissioners that beginning Aug. 1 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will take over issuing septic-tank permits in Columbia County and that the change will significantly alter local permitting procedures.

David (county staff) told the board that DEP’s move “is going to what they cover and don't cover will drastically impact the way we do permits and how we have to process development as we move forward and may create the need for a site use application.” Building and zoning staff presented a draft process that would require applicants to complete a new site-use prerequisite before applying for building permits that depend on septic approval.

Melissa of the building department summarized the proposal: applicants would select permit types that trigger the site-use prerequisite, submit a checklist (including 911 address, right-of-way, and DEP permit status), and staff would conduct an internal review that would confirm whether a septic permit or a repair review is required. Melissa said the proposal is intended to protect the county from missing DEP steps and to meet statutory time limits for building permits; she noted Florida statute allows 30 days for issuance of certain permits while DEP experiences could take months.

Building staff described additional proposed operational changes that would accompany DEP's takeover: increased internal workload to pull DEP septic records, the need to verify septic system setbacks, the possibility that DEP will require site visits before issuing permits, and suggested changes to temporary-use and mobile-home rules (including proposals to limit temporary RV electric service to 60 amps until a primary dwelling is built and to remove mobile homes from 12-month temporary use allowances).

Staff asked the board for direction, and Melissa and other staff said they will prepare ordinance language and return to the board with proposals. “Troy and I need to come to you sit down and list; we're bringing proposal of ordinances up,” Melissa said. Commissioners and staff described the change as a “work in progress” and flagged potential impacts on real estate transactions, mobile-home replacements and campground services.

Outcome and next steps: commissioners did not take a formal vote on an ordinance at this meeting. Staff were directed to develop ordinance language and a site-use application checklist, and to return with proposed regulatory language and implementation steps for the board to consider before DEP’s Aug. 1 transition.