Sewer/Water Licensing in Havana town, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, any person who contracts to construct, repair, or maintain a potable water or sanitary sewer system must hold a state Construction Industry License as a Water/Sewer Contractor. This includes installation, repair, replacement, or alteration of lines, pipes, and related infrastructure.

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, work on sewer and water systems is defined as construction work requiring licensure. If you perform this work for compensation in Havana town, you must be licensed by the state before beginning the job.

How to Get Licensed

State Licensing (Required):

1. Apply to the Construction Industry Licensing Board (established under Fla. Stat. § 489.107).
2. Meet qualifications under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which requires:
3. Four years of experience in the water/sewer contracting trade within the 10 years preceding application, OR
4. An acceptable combination of education and experience as defined in the statute.
5. Pass the state licensing examination covering Florida construction laws, sewer/water systems, and business practices.
6. Register with the state and receive your Construction Industry License.

Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for specific application procedures, exam dates, and fees. The DBPR administers licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board per state statute.

Local Requirements

Havana town is located in Gadsden County, Florida. Before performing water or sewer work:

• Pull permits through the appropriate local authority (contact the Havana Town Building Department or Gadsden County for jurisdiction-specific permit requirements).
• Check the Havana Municipal Code for any local amendments, additional insurance requirements, bonding, or local licensing endorsements that may apply to contractors working within town limits.

Local codes may impose additional requirements beyond state licensure. Verify all local requirements before bidding or starting work.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work and persons are exempt from licensing:

• Work performed by employees of a government agency (city, county, state, federal).
• Property owners performing work on their own property (in some cases).
• Routine maintenance that does not involve construction or alteration.

Check § 489.103 for the complete exemption list, as others may apply to specialized situations.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Operator Certification Program
- Phone: 850-245-7500
- Website: https://floridadep.gov/water/certification-restoration/content/water-and-domestic-wastewater-operator-certification

References

• Fla. Stat. § 489.103 — Exemptions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Fla. Stat. § 489.107 — Construction Industry Licensing Board
• Fla. Stat. § 489.113 — Qualifications for practice; restrictions
• Havana Municipal Code

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)