Verified as of September 9, 2026. We re-check these pages quarterly.
Who it applies to. Properties inside the program area — see am I in the area?. Not the whole county, but most of the populated part of it.
The two ways to comply
| Path | When it applies | What it costs you | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connect to sewer | A main is available at or near your property | Tap fee + lateral + tank abandonment; $5,000–$20,000 before grants, more where the run is long | Septic-to-Sewer grant covers eligible costs |
| Upgrade to ATU | Sewer isn't available or isn't feasible | $10,000–$20,000 installed + ~$375/yr maintenance | Upgrade grant up to $20,000, $6,000 minimum |
You don't choose the path in a vacuum — the county's project plan steers each parcel toward one or the other based on whether sewer extension is planned for your street.
What triggers it early. If your current system fails and needs full replacement before 2030, the replacement has to meet the standard now. A drain field failure inside the area is effectively a $10,000–$20,000 project instead of the $5,000–$15,000 it would be outside — which is exactly why the grant matters, and why you should know your status before the system fails, not after.
What happens if you do nothing. The 2030 date is a state requirement enforced through the permitting system. The realistic consequences: inability to get a repair or replacement permit for a conventional system, exposure at sale (buyers and lenders are increasingly checking), and — as grant money is spent down — paying full price later for the same upgrade the county would fund today.
Timeline to plan around
- Now–2027: grants funded, contractors available, county paying contractors directly for approved upgrades
- Summer 2027: Palm Bay begins outreach on its phased hookup plan
- 2028–2029: expect contractor backlogs as the deadline approaches
- July 1, 2030: compliance date
Verified as of September 9, 2026. Confirm current status with Brevard County Natural Resources Management, (321) 633-2016.