Commissioners voted unanimously at the regular June 22, 2021 Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting to revise an ordinance (2021-12) that will update the language regarding variance procedures concerning lot sizes required for septic systems in the Hernando County Code of Ordinances. Language will also be changed to reflect that the current authority to grant the variances is the BOCC, since the former authority, the County Board of Adjustments and Appeals no longer exists.
Additional changes revises the fee schedule, application processing procedures and adds that an advertised public hearing shall be held before approval or denial of a variance application. The revisions apply to systems constructed after March 25, 1980.
No changes have been made to section 28-99 of the ordinance, which restricts the number of septic systems according to water supply connection and lot size.
Currently, developed residential lots connected to the city or county water supply are allowed 1 sewage disposal system per 21,500 square foot lot, or less than one-half of an acre (43,560 square feet). Residential developments with private wells are allowed 1 system per acre.
Planned development projects on a central water supply have room for modifications, so long as the overall density of the project does not exceed 1 septic tank per 21,500 square feet. The project would also require approval from the BOCC.
The new ordinance will be contained in Chapter 28, Article III, Division 3 of the Hernando County Code of Ordinances
