Agencies›State / Health

Department of Health

Health department approval for septic, pools, and food service.

State departments of health regulate construction that affects public health — primarily onsite sewage treatment systems (septic), public and semi-public swimming pools, and food service establishments. DOH review runs parallel to the building permit and must be cleared before a CO is issued.

What they regulate

  • Onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems (septic)
  • Public pool and spa construction and modification
  • Drinking water well permits
  • Food service establishment construction

What triggers their review

  • New septic system installation or modification
  • Public or semi-public pool construction
  • Construction on lots without public sewer service
  • Restaurant or commercial kitchen construction
Typical turnaround
5–15 business days for septic; 10–20 for public pool permits

What causes delays

  • —Soil percolation test failures requiring system redesign
  • —Setback deficiencies from wells, property lines, or water bodies
  • —Pool plan corrections for safety barrier or equipment requirements
  • —Inspector availability in rural areas

How Cleard handles DOH

  • Submitting DOH applications alongside building permit packages
  • Coordinating soil testing and percolation reports
  • Managing public pool plan review and inspection scheduling

Trades that commonly need DOH review

Pool BuildersPlumbing ContractorsHome BuildersGeneral Contractors

Other agencies in the approval chain

Building DeptThe first stop for every permit.
Zoning / PlanningLand use approval before the permit.
DERMEnvironmental clearance for construction near sensitive areas.
WASD / UtilitiesWater and sewer clearance for new connections and modifications.
SFWMD / ERPStormwater and wetland permitting for larger projects.
FDEP / CoastalState permits for construction near the coast and water.
ACOEFederal permits for work affecting navigable waters and wetlands.
HOA / ARBCommunity approval before the permit.
Impact FeesOne-time infrastructure charges assessed at permit issuance.
Fire MarshalFire code compliance review for commercial and multi-family.

We handle DOH so you don't have to.

Cleard manages the full approval chain — every agency, every submittal, every correction cycle.

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