Sewer/Water Licensing in Coral Gables city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Anyone performing sewer or water work in Coral Gables must hold a state-issued license. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "sewer and water piping contractor" is defined as a person who undertakes to, offers to, or holds themselves out as able to construct, repair, or install sanitary sewers, storm sewers, potable water piping, or reclaimed water piping systems.

Work requiring licensure includes:
- Installation or repair of water mains and service lines
- Installation or repair of sanitary and storm sewer lines
- Connection of buildings to municipal water or sewer systems
- Replacement or maintenance of underground piping systems

A license is required before performing any such work or advertising these services in Coral Gables.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing is issued by the state, not the city.

Apply through the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board, which is established under Fla. Stat. § 489.107.

Requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113 include:
- Proof of four years of work experience as a sewer and water piping contractor or equivalent experience in related fields
- Passing a state examination covering trade knowledge, code compliance, and safety
- A valid Florida business registration

Contact the Construction Industry Licensing Board through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for current application procedures, exam schedules, and fees.

Local Requirements

Sewer and water work in Coral Gables is subject to the Coral Gables Municipal Code. Contractors must:

• Obtain a local work permit from the Coral Gables Building Department before beginning any sewer or water project
• Comply with city design standards and inspection requirements
• Follow all provisions in the Coral Gables Municipal Code specific to utilities and construction

Review the Municipal Code link above for local amendments, permit fees, inspection timelines, and any city-specific bonding or insurance requirements that may exceed state law.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, licensing is not required for:
- Work performed by employees of the municipality or county on public systems
- Emergency repairs to existing systems (though licensing is still required for permanent installations)
- Certain minor maintenance work on residential property performed by the property owner themselves

Always verify that your specific work falls within an exemption; when in doubt, obtain a 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

• 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
• Coral Gables Municipal Code

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