Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.101 Scope.
Sec. 470.101. - Scope.
This Chapter applies to the disposal of sewage waste on all property not served by a sanitary sewer of a sewerage system.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. XIII, ch. 470, pt. 1
in effectJacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.102 Definitions.
Sec. 470.102. - Definitions.
As used in this Chapter:
(a) Absorption area means:
(1) The total surface area of the bottoms of trenches used as an absorption field.
(2) The total bottom area of an absorption bed.
(b) Absorption bed means an area from which all earth has been removed and replaced by materials intended and designed for use with a septic tank system.
(c) Absorption field means a system of open-jointed or perforated pipes or alternate distribution units receiving flow from a septic tank and designated to distribute effluent for oxidation and absorption by the soil.
(c-1) Director means the Director of the Duval County Health Department.
(d) Distribution box means a receptacle placed between a septic tank and its drain field, from which two or more lines of drain tile may extend to distribute effluent from the septic tank to each line.
(e) Effective capacity means the liquid volume of a septic tank contained below the liquid level line.
(f) Effective depth means liquid depth of a septic tank measured from the inside of the bottom to the liquid level line.
(g) Freeboard means the distance measured from the liquid level line of a septic tank to the inside of the top of the tank.
(h) Grease trap means a receptacle receiving drainage wastes from a kitchen or other source discharging grease.
(i) House sewer means a pipe conveying sewage wastes from a building to a septic tank.
(j) Multiple dwelling means premises used as a residence or living quarters by more than four family units, such as an apartment house, motel or rooming house.
(k) Residence means premises used as a residence by not more than four family units.
(l) Septic tank means a receptacle used as a reservoir for receiving sewage waste, and includes a grease trap unless the context otherwise requires.
(m) Septic tank system includes a house sewer, septic tank, absorption field and absorption area.
(n) Sewage waste means human and domestic waste, including liquids and solid matter from plumbing fixtures, normally carried off by drains and sewers, and, except where specifically excluded, includes bath and toilet wastes, laundry wastes, kitchen wastes and other similar wastes.
(o) Sludge means the residue from a septic tank system or similar waste disposal device, excluding residue from a grease trap.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 82-547-243, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 2008-513-E, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.103 Required methods of disposal of sewage waste.
Sec. 470.103. - Required methods of disposal of sewage waste.
No person shall dispose of sewage waste by any method except:
(a) A sanitary sewer of a sewerage system.
(b) A septic tank system, if authorized by this Chapter.
(c) A privy, if authorized by this Chapter.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.104 Building occupancy; sewage disposal certificate required.
Sec. 470.104. - Building occupancy; sewage disposal certificate required.
No person shall occupy or permit another to occupy a building which is, after December 1, 1970, constructed, renovated for a different use, extended as to its outside walls, or relocated, or which has been condemned at any time by the City, without first obtaining from the Director a sewage disposal certificate of occupancy. The Director shall issue a sewage disposal certificate of occupancy whenever the building has facilities for the disposal of sewage wastes into a sanitary sewer of a sewerage system, or into a septic tank system or privy in compliance with this Chapter. This Section does not apply to the occupancy of a mobile home in a licensed trailer park operating under a permit issued by the Director.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.105 Issuance of plumbing and move-on permits conditioned.
Sec. 470.105. - Issuance of plumbing and move-on permits conditioned.
No plumbing permit for a building or move-on permit for a mobile home shall be issued by the Chief of Building Inspection unless the applicant presents:
(a) Written evidence that sewage wastes will be disposed of from the premises through a sanitary sewer of a sewerage system.
(b) An installation permit for a septic tank system or pit privy for the premises.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.106 Premises where persons congregate temporarily.
Sec. 470.106. - Premises where persons congregate temporarily.
No person shall permit any premises owned or controlled by him to be used for the temporary congregation of a group of persons including use as a construction site, fair, carnival, revival or encampment, unless the premises have facilities for the disposal of sewage wastes through a sanitary sewer of a sewerage system, through a septic tank system which complies with this Chapter or through a temporary portable privy which complies with this Chapter. The number of individual toilet facilities available shall comply with State law and regulations.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.107 Existing, nonconforming septic tank systems.
Sec. 470.107. - Existing, nonconforming septic tank systems.
(a) Every septic tank system in existence on December 1, 1970, is exempt from the requirements of this Chapter, except as provided in this Section.
(b) A septic tank system which is exempt under subsection (a) of this Section loses its exemption whenever, after December 1, 1970:
(1) A change in the use of the premises occurs which materially changes the use of the septic tank system.
(2) The quantity of use of the septic tank system increases materially.
(3) The system has not been in use for at least one year.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.108 Abandoned septic tank systems and pit privies.
Sec. 470.108. - Abandoned septic tank systems and pit privies.
No person shall permit any abandoned septic tank system or pit privy to become a health or safety hazard.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 470.109 Penalty.
Sec. 470.109. - Penalty.
Violation of any provision of this Chapter is a class D offense against the City.
(Ord. 70-650-526; Ord. 71-397-181; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1)
Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITXIIIHECO_CH470INSEDISY_PT1GEPRFetched: 10/27/2026