A septic system cannot be located closer than 5 feet from a house foundation or mobile home. Sidewalks, decks, and patios are not subject to the 5 foot rule, but you cannot put a drainfield under them. Any tank below a driveway must have a lid designed by a Florida-licensed engineer for anticipated traffic load over it. Here’s the relevant excerpt from the Florida Administrative Code:

64E-6.005(2)  Systems shall not be located under buildings or within 5 feet of building foundations, including pilings for elevated structures, or within 5 feet of mobile home walls, swimming pool walls, or within 5 feet of property lines except where property lines abut utility easements which do not contain underground utilities, or where recorded easements are specifically provided for the installation of systems for service to more than one lot or property owner.
(a) Sidewalks, decks and patios shall not be subject to the 5 foot setback, however, drainfields shall not be installed beneath such structures. Any tank located beneath a driveway shall have traffic lids as specified in paragraph 64E-6.013(1)(f), F.A.C. Concrete structures which are intended to be placed over a septic tank shall have a barrier of soil or plastic material placed between the structure and the tank so as to preclude adhesion of the structure to the tank.

    Also, see our blog posts How can I locate my septic tank? and Do I have to get a larger septic tank when I build a home addition? and How far away does a well need to be from a septic system in Florida?

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  To learn more about SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS, see these other blog posts:

• What are the building code requirements for gray water reuse in Florida?

• What can I add to my septic tank to help it work better? 

• Why do septic tank contractors want you to get rid of your kitchen disposal?

• How can I tell if a house is connected to a septic tank system or sewer?

• Does a septic tank have to be re-certified if a house has been vacant for a while?

• What is a grinder pump? 

• How often should I pump out the septic tank?

• Should I call a plumber or septic tank contractor when my septic tank backs up into the house?  

• Where is the septic tank? Are you going to inspect it? 

• Can a house have more than one septic tank?

• What is the difference between gray water and black water in the plumbing code? 

• Is it alright to disconnect the washing machine drain from the septic tank and divert it to the ground in the yard?

    Visit our SEPTIC TANK SYSTEMS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.