Sewer/Water Licensing in Tequesta village, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law regulates sewer and water work under the construction trades licensing scheme. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "contractor" engaging in construction work—including plumbing and water/sewer system installation or repair—must hold a valid license unless specifically exempted.

Any person performing sewer line installation, water main work, septic system installation, or similar water/wastewater utility work in Tequesta must be licensed as either a General Contractor, Plumbing Contractor, or Specialty Contractor (if the work falls within a defined specialty), depending on the scope and nature of the work.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing is issued by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board under Fla. Stat. § 489.107.

Steps:

1. Determine your license category based on the type of sewer/water work you perform (Fla. Stat. § 489.105).

2. Meet qualification requirements under Fla. Stat. § 489.113, which typically require:

3. Proof of experience (often 4+ years in the trade)
4. Passing a state licensing exam

5. General liability insurance

6. Apply to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board with proof of qualifications, exam passage, and insurance.

7. Obtain a local permit from the Tequesta Building Department before beginning work in Tequesta village.

Consult the specific statute (Fla. Stat. § 489.113) for exact experience and examination requirements for your license class.

Local Requirements

Permit Authority: Contact the Tequesta Building Department to pull permits for sewer and water work within the village.

Municipal Code: Review the Tequesta Municipal Code for any local amendments, additional bonding requirements, or inspectional standards that may apply beyond state law. The municipal code may contain provisions specific to water and sewer work in Tequesta's jurisdiction.

Tequesta village is in Palm Beach County; confirm whether county-level requirements also apply to your project.

Exemptions

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.103, certain work and workers are exempt from licensure, including:

• Work performed by a property owner on his or her own residential property (with limitations)
• Work by employees of utilities or government agencies performing work within their official capacity
• Certain minor or incidental work

Review Fla. Stat. § 489.103 in full to determine if your specific work qualifies for an exemption.

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
• Tequesta Municipal Code

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