Sewer/Water Licensing in Estero village, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, any person who engages in the construction, repair, or alteration of water or sewer systems must hold a valid Construction Industry License. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "contractor" is defined as any person who undertakes to, offers to, or does construct, repair, or improve any building or structure. This includes water and sewer work.

Specifically, sewer and water contractors perform work on potable water systems, wastewater collection systems, and related infrastructure. If your work involves installing, repairing, or modifying these systems, licensure is required.

How to Get Licensed

1. Determine your license category. Florida recognizes specialty licenses for water and sewer work under the Construction Industry Licensing Board framework.

2. Meet qualifications. Per Fla. Stat. § 489.113, you must demonstrate competency through:

3. Relevant work experience (typically 4 years in the trade for a specialty license)

4. Passage of the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board examination specific to your trade category

5. Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The Construction Industry Licensing Board, established under Fla. Stat. § 489.107, oversees licensing. Submit your application, proof of experience, and exam results to DBPR.

6. Pay the licensing fee and receive your license upon approval.

More information on application procedures and exam dates is available through DBPR's Construction Industry Licensing Board office.

Local Requirements

Estero village is located in Lee County, Florida. Before beginning any sewer or water work, you must:

• Obtain a permit from the Estero Building Department
• Comply with the Estero Municipal Code, available at https://library.municode.com/fl/estero

Review the municipal code for any local amendments, permit fees, inspection requirements, or additional qualifications beyond state law.

Contact the Estero Building Department for specific permit procedures, local inspection timelines, and any supplemental documentation required for sewer and water projects.

Exemptions

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work is exempt from licensing, including:

• Construction performed by a property owner on his or her own property
• Work performed by employees of property owners (if not offered to the public)
• Certain public utility work performed by employees of utilities under regulatory oversight

However, these exemptions do not apply to most commercial sewer and water projects. Verify your specific situation against the statute.

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
• Estero Municipal Code

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