Plumbing in Vero Beach

In Vero Beach, who supplies your water and sewer, and whether you are on septic, shapes most plumbing jobs.

County: Indian River County
Permits: Usually the City of Vero Beach for addresses inside city limits, and Indian River County for unincorporated areas. Confirm for your address.

Vero Beach has some of the oldest homes on the Treasure Coast, especially near downtown, where houses from the 1920s through the 1950s may still have galvanized supply lines, cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. Mainland subdivisions from the 1960s through the 1980s often have copper or early plastic piping. Newer gated communities have modern materials but long runs and complex irrigation tied into the supply.

City of Vero Beach or Indian River County utilities

The City of Vero Beach runs its own water and sewer utility, which serves the city and some areas outside it. Indian River County Utilities serves much of the unincorporated county. Many homes in the county still use private wells and septic tanks. Your bill shows which applies. This matters when you have a leak at the meter, a sewer backup at the cleanout, or need a new connection, because each utility sets its own rules on what is theirs and what is yours.

Septic to sewer in Indian River County

Indian River County has an active septic to sewer program and has been holding public meetings about converting homes where sewer is available. Projects have included areas around Wabasso, Roseland and North Sebastian, and the City of Vero Beach has worked with partners to connect homes in some neighborhoods. If you are told to connect, you will usually need a licensed plumber and a permit for the private side, plus proper abandonment of the old tank. Ask the county or city utility about cost, timing and any grant help before you hire.

Permits and older homes

Repiping, sewer laterals and water heaters usually need a plumbing permit from the City of Vero Beach Building Department inside city limits or the Indian River County Building Division in unincorporated areas. Indian River Shores and Orchid permit their own work. In older homes near downtown, a camera inspection of the drain line before agreeing to a big repair lets you see whether the problem is a single break or a failing line.

For general information, see our plumbing guide and the Vero Beach area page. Related: septic in Vero Beach, water heaters in Vero Beach and water treatment in Vero Beach.

Check before you hireFlorida licenses plumbing contractors. Look up the license at myfloridalicense.com and ask for proof of insurance before work starts.

Plumbing questions in Vero Beach

Is my water from the City of Vero Beach or Indian River County?

Check your bill. The City of Vero Beach utility serves the city and some areas outside it, and Indian River County Utilities serves much of the unincorporated county. Many county homes are on private wells. Knowing which applies tells you who to call about the meter, the main and connection rules, and whether a plumber needs to deal with a well pump.

Indian River County says I need to connect to sewer. What does that involve?

In general the utility provides the main line and you pay for the connection on your property, done by a licensed plumber with a permit. The old septic tank must be pumped and properly abandoned. The county has held public workshops on its septic to sewer program. Ask Indian River County Utilities about your cost, deadlines and any grant or financing help.

Why do old Vero Beach homes near downtown have so many drain problems?

Many homes from the 1920s through the 1950s still have cast iron drains and clay sewer laterals. After decades they crack, scale up and let tree roots in. Galvanized supply pipes in the same homes rust inside and lower water pressure. A camera inspection shows the condition of the line, so you can decide between a spot repair and replacing a longer section.

Who issues plumbing permits in Vero Beach?

Inside city limits, the City of Vero Beach Building Department. In unincorporated Indian River County, the Indian River County Building Division. Indian River Shores and Orchid on the barrier island have their own town permitting. The plumber usually pulls the permit. Make sure it gets a final inspection, since open permits can come up when you sell.

For the general guide, see Plumbing on the Treasure Coast. For more about the town, see Vero Beach.

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