Sewer/Water Licensing in Hobe Sound CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, any person who undertakes to construct, repair, or maintain a public or private water or sewer system must hold an active state license as a water/sewer contractor.[Fla. Stat. § 489.113] This includes installation, alteration, extension, or repair of pipes, mains, and related infrastructure serving potable water or sanitary sewage systems.

Work that merely supplies materials or equipment without performing the actual construction or installation may fall outside licensing requirements, but the actual construction work itself is regulated.

How to Get Licensed

Step 1: Meet Qualifications
You must demonstrate competency through either:
- Four years of experience in water/sewer construction under a licensed contractor, OR
- An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the Construction Industry Licensing Board[Fla. Stat. § 489.113]

Step 2: Apply to the State
Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which administers licensing through the Construction Industry Licensing Board.[Fla. Stat. § 489.107] You will need documentation of your qualifying experience or education.

Step 3: Pass the Examination
Pass the state licensing exam covering Florida construction law, the Florida Building Code, and technical competency in water/sewer systems.

Step 4: Obtain Your License
Once approved, you receive your state water/sewer contractor license, which is valid statewide including in Hobe Sound CDP.

Local Requirements

Hobe Sound CDP, located in Martin County, requires that all construction work in the town comply with local permitting and inspection procedures. Before beginning work, you must obtain a permit from the Hobe Sound Building Department.

Consult the Hobe Sound Municipal Code for any local amendments, permit fees, inspection schedules, and additional requirements beyond state law. Local codes may impose specific standards for water and sewer work within town boundaries.

Contact the Hobe Sound Building Department to confirm current permit procedures and any local amendments to state requirements.

Exemptions

Persons performing water or sewer work are exempt from licensing if they:[Fla. Stat. § 489.103]
- Work solely on their own property for their own use (not for compensation)
- Are employees of a licensed contractor acting under that contractor's supervision
- Perform work on property they own, provided no compensation is received

Work performed for compensation or on others' property requires an active state license.

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

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