Septic System Design & Permits in Kendall, FL
Professional septic system design, permit applications, and engineering services in Kendall and surrounding West Miami-Dade County communities. We coordinate qualified engineers, handle DERM permit applications, and ensure your system meets all current Miami-Dade County standards.
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Please fill out this form to request a free quote on your septic project and our team will respond to you right away.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- We aim to respond quickly
- Serving all of Miami-Dade County
Professional Septic System Design Services
Septic system design requires careful engineering to meet Miami-Dade County's strict environmental standards. Miami Septic Pros provides comprehensive design services for new installations, replacements, and major modifications throughout Kendall and surrounding West Miami-Dade County communities. We work with qualified engineers to create designs that comply with all current regulations and ensure long-term system performance.
Our design process includes:
- Site evaluation including soil testing, percolation rates, and water table assessment
- System type determination based on property use, wastewater volume, and proximity to surface water
- Engineered designs conforming to Chapter 62-6, Florida Administrative Code
- Scaled site plans showing all features, setbacks, and system components
- Drainfield layout and sizing calculations
- Reserve drainfield area design (50% of initial drainfield size required)
Effective January 1, 2023, Miami-Dade County implemented stricter standards through Ordinance 22-83, prohibiting conventional (Type 1) systems for new installations or total replacements. All new systems must meet Type 2 (secondary treatment), Type 3 (advanced secondary treatment), or Type 4 (Florida Keys Nutrient Reduction) standards depending on your property type and location.
What is different about design and permits in Kendall
Septic design in Kendall starts on the County's iWASD Connect map, because Kendall is unincorporated and sewer availability there is a WASD question. If a public sewer abuts the property, Ordinance 22-83 does not allow a new or replacement septic system.
Where septic is allowed, groundwater and water bodies shape the design. About 64% of unincorporated residential septic parcels reached peak groundwater within 42 inches of the surface in the County's 2018 study, and the system must keep 100 feet from Kendall's many lakes and canals.
The Department of Health in Miami-Dade issues the construction permit after a site evaluation, and DERM approves the engineered design. Some of the County's wellfield protection areas, including Snapper Creek, Alexander Orr and the Southwest wellfield, add a DERM permit for non-residential uses on septic.
What the numbers say about Kendall
- Across unincorporated Miami-Dade, the County's 2018 study found 42,064 of 65,386 residential septic parcels (64%) already reaching peak groundwater within 42 inches of the surface. (Miami-Dade, 2018)
- Unincorporated properties such as Kendall's can check sewer availability on the County's iWASD Connect map. (Miami-Dade WASD)
Sources for this section and the Kendall questions: Miami-Dade WASD, 2020 data; Miami-Dade, 2018; U.S. Census ACS 2020-2024; Ordinance 22-83; Miami-Dade DERM; Miami-Dade WASD; Florida DEP. Opened October 28, 2026.
More about design and permits
What does not change from city to city is on our Septic System Design and Permitting in Miami: Professional Engineering & DERM Approval page.
Serving Kendall and Surrounding Areas
We provide septic system design and permitting services throughout Kendall and surrounding West Miami-Dade County communities, serving:
- Kendall
- West Kendall
- Kendall West
- The Hammocks
- Palmetto Bay
- Pinecrest
- South Miami
- And all surrounding Miami-Dade communities
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the design and permitting process take in Kendall?
Total timeline from initial site evaluation to completed installation typically ranges from 6-10 weeks. This includes site evaluation and design (1-2 weeks), DERM approval (several weeks), installation (1-3 weeks), and post-installation inspection. Complex projects or permit delays can extend this timeframe.
What documents are required for DERM permit application in Kendall?
Required documents include soil and site evaluation report, scaled site plan showing all features and setbacks, septic system design conforming to Chapter 62-6, F.A.C., engineering calculations and specifications, and property survey and legal description. We handle all document preparation and submission.
What type of system will I need for my property in Kendall?
System type depends on property use, wastewater volume, and proximity to surface water. Type 2 systems serve single-family homes or duplexes < 500 gallons/day, 1,000 feet from surface water. Type 3 systems serve multifamily < 1,000 gallons/day, also requiring 1,000-foot distance. Type 4 systems meet Florida Keys Nutrient Reduction standards for uses not qualifying as Type 2 or 3.
What are the setback distance requirements in Kendall?
Setback requirements include minimum 100 feet from any surface water body, 50 feet from all property lines where public water is unavailable, 75 feet from private potable wells, 100 feet from public potable wells (≤2,000 gpd), 200 feet from public potable wells (>2,000 gpd), and 50 feet from non-potable or agricultural wells.
What is the 50% reserve drainfield area requirement?
Miami-Dade County requires a reserve drainfield area equal to half the size of the initial drainfield. This reserve area is set aside for future system expansion or replacement, ensuring adequate space for system maintenance and upgrades.
Do I need an engineer for septic system design in Kendall?
Yes, qualified engineers must design systems meeting Miami-Dade County standards. We work with qualified engineers to create designs that comply with all current regulations, including Chapter 62-6, Florida Administrative Code, and Miami-Dade County requirements.
Kendall questions
Where do I start a septic design for a Kendall property?
Check sewer availability on the County's iWASD Connect map. If no sewer abuts the lot, the design goes to the Department of Health in Miami-Dade and to DERM for approval.
Do Kendall lake-front lots need a special septic design?
They need the system and its reserved area at least 100 feet from the water body, which often pushes the drain field to the street side. Groundwater near lakes and canals also tends to set how high the field must sit.