Brevard Septic

North Indian River Lagoon: the septic permit moratorium

The rule. There is currently a court-ordered moratorium on new septic permits in the North Indian River Lagoon.

Verified as of September 9, 2026. We re-check these pages quarterly.

Who it affects. Property owners in the north-county lagoon area — Titusville, Mims, Port St. John's northern reaches, and the north end of Merritt Island — who need a new onsite system. Confirm your parcel's status with DOH-Brevard, which handles septic permitting for the county.

What it means in practice

  • Building on an unsewered north-county lot: the septic permit that would normally be routine may not be available. Talk to DOH-Brevard and the City of Titusville about sewer availability before you buy or design.
  • Replacing a failed system: this is the painful case. A like-for-like replacement is a new permit. Expect to be pointed toward sewer connection if a main is anywhere within reach, or toward an advanced system that meets the nitrogen standard — and check the upgrade grant, because the county would rather fund the upgrade than fight about it.
  • Routine pumping and maintenance: unaffected. No permit is needed to pump a tank.
  • Minor repairs: repair permits are handled case by case; call before assuming.

Why it exists. The North IRL is the most impaired stretch of the lagoon and the one where the state and county have been under the most legal pressure to stop adding load.

Verified as of September 9, 2026. Court orders change. Confirm current status with the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County before making any decision that depends on it.

Get help with a north-county system

Get started

Book a visit or get a price

Backing up? Send this and we'll come straight back to you.

See whether your property qualifies for a lagoon septic upgrade grant.

All work is performed by Florida-registered septic tank contractors who are licensed and insured.