City water and sewer or a well and septic?
In Palm Bay you can't assume. Two houses on the same street can be on different systems.
Why Palm Bay is mixed
The city was platted in the 1960s before the pipes were in, so utilities followed the houses street by street. Today a lot can have any combination: city water and city sewer, city water with a septic tank, or a private well and septic.
The city's stated goal is to eliminate more than 32,000 septic systems and 12,000 wells over time.
How to check a specific house
The city publishes a map at pbfl.org/s2s, and Palm Bay Utilities answers at (321) 952-3420. Look up the exact address before you write an offer, not after.
If sewer or water is already at the street
Palm Bay passed a mandatory connection ordinance on November 2, 2023. It covered about 1,066 lots where sewer was available and about 2,344 where water was available. Owners get one year after written notice to connect, which matches Florida's 365-day rule.
The city has used federal and state grant money to help lower-income owners with connection costs. Whether any of that money is still available changes, so ask the utility.
The 2030 septic rule, and who it applies to
A 2023 Florida law requires new septic systems in the Indian River Lagoon cleanup area to be the nitrogen-reducing kind, on any lot size, starting January 1, 2024. Existing systems in that area must connect to sewer or be upgraded by July 1, 2030.
Not all of Palm Bay is in that area. The west side drains to the St. Johns River instead. Check the parcel on the Florida DEP map before you assume the 2030 rule applies to a house you're buying or selling.
Questions we get.
Does every Palm Bay septic system have to be upgraded by 2030?
No. The July 1, 2030 requirement applies to existing systems inside the Indian River Lagoon cleanup area. West Palm Bay drains to the St. Johns River. Check the parcel on the Florida DEP map.
How do I know if a Palm Bay house has city sewer?
Look up the address on the city map at pbfl.org/s2s or call Palm Bay Utilities at (321) 952-3420.
Selling a home on well and septic?
It affects price and the buyer pool. We price for it honestly and tell buyers up front.