CS/CS/CS/HB 999 - Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems

• Permits for onsite sewage system installation, modification, or repair automatically transfer with property title in real estate transactions, and no inspection can be mandated at point of sale.

• Defines "bedroom" with specific requirements (minimum square footage, exterior wall location, closet/door, emergency escape opening) to determine septic system sizing needs.

• Creates optional local evaluation and assessment programs for counties/municipalities containing first magnitude springs (100+ cubic feet per second discharge), with evaluations required every 5 years to identify system failures.

• Prohibits governmental entities from requiring engineer-designed performance-based treatment systems before completion of the Florida Onsite Sewage Nitrogen Reduction Strategies Project, except for jurisdictions with pre-existing ordinances.

• Repeals section 381.00656 (grant program for system repairs) and lowers certain permit fees; a system modification or replacement is not required unless a bedroom is added to a single-family home.