Marion County Septic Grants Pay Up to $200 for a Pump-Out and $250 for a Repair Permit

Homeowners and business owners in unincorporated Marion County can get money back for routine septic maintenance through the county's Run for the Springs grant program. The county's Run for the Springs page says funding is available after Oct. 1 and lists two grants: up to $200 back for having a septic system pumped out and inspected, and up to $250 toward the permit needed to repair one. The grant must be approved before the work is done.

Digitally generated illustration. Not a photo of a Marion County septic system or inspection.

At a Glance

• Pump-out and inspection grant: reimbursement of up to $200 of the total cost


• Repair permit grant: reimbursement of up to $250 toward the septic repair permit; a copy of the permit is required


• Who: residents and businesses in unincorporated Marion County with a septic system


• Key rule: apply and get approval first; work done before approval is not eligible


• Apply: Office of the County Engineer, Stormwater Program, 412 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471, or Stormwater@marionfl.org


• Questions: 352-671-8686, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Why Does Marion County Pay for Septic Pump-Outs?

The county's page says septic tanks are "a major source of nitrate pollution in the aquifer," which supplies most of Florida's drinking water and the water that flows from its springs. It says Marion County has the third-highest number of septic tanks in Florida, an estimated more than 124,000. The page names Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs and Silver Glen and notes that residents use the same water for drinking and daily activities.

Who Is Eligible, and What Are the Rules?

The grant instructions linked from the county's Stormwater Management page set these terms:

• The applicant must be an unincorporated Marion County resident or business and can apply for a home or business they own.


• An application must be submitted and approved before any work is performed. Work done before approval will not be reimbursed.


• Work must be done by a licensed septic service professional.


• Each applicant is limited to two grants a year (one home location and one business location), and each location is eligible once every four years.


• Grants are awarded on an ongoing, first-come, first-served basis until program funds run out.

The application form posted on the county site is dated July 2025 and says grants cover work after Oct. 1, 2025. As of Oct. 21, 2026, no newer form is posted on the county site. The form says applicants can call or email to find out whether funds are still available.

How Do You Apply?

The Run for the Springs grant application asks for the applicant's name, address, phone and email and which grant they want. The applicant also signs a statement agreeing to the program's terms. Applications go to the Marion County Office of the County Engineer, Stormwater Program, 412 SE 25th Ave., Ocala, FL 34471, or by email to Stormwater@marionfl.org. The applicant's name must appear on the application and on every page of supporting documents.

After approval, the county mails a letter. The applicant then has 90 days from the date on the letter to have the work done and send in a receipt showing payment and a photo of the service being performed. The county says it typically issues a check two to four weeks after it approves the paperwork.

Where Does the Money Come From?

The county's page says all proceeds from the Run for the Springs 5K fund the septic grants. The 15th annual race is Saturday, Feb. 27, 2027, at 8 a.m. at the Marion County Airport, 14968 SW 110th St., Dunnellon, FL 34432, where runners race on the airport tarmac. Event-day sign-up and packet pickup start at 7 a.m. The county lists a $30 sign-up fee. The race's RunSignUp page also lists a $30 registration fee, with a current price of $25 that goes up after 11:59 p.m. Nov. 30, 2026. Registered runners get a T-shirt while supplies last, and the shirt deadline is midnight Jan. 15, 2027. Medals go to the top three male and female finishers in each age group, and the team with the fastest average time among its top three runners wins the Traveling Cup. Sponsors can call the stormwater office at 352-671-8686.

Septic Service and the Springs

Our septic service guide for Ocala covers tank pumping, inspection and repair. For the water supply, see where Ocala's water comes from and what the Silver Springs numbers say, and our guide to springs near Ocala. More places to run are in our Ocala running guide.

Sources: Marion County, "Run for the Springs" page (marionfl.org), including the grant amounts, septic tank figures, race details and contact; Marion County Office of the County Engineer, Stormwater Management page and "Run for the Springs Grant Instructions" and application (last updated July 25, 2025), including eligibility, limits and how to apply; Run for the Springs 5K registration page (runsignup.com). Checked Oct. 21, 2026.