A Florida Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) is the operating license issued by the Florida Public Service Commission that lets a regulated utility legally provide water, wastewater, electric, natural gas, or telecommunications service to a defined territory in the state. Every investor-owned utility in a PSC-jurisdictional county must hold a current CPCN before turning on a single meter, accepting a single deposit, or extending service across a county line.
The application is filed with the Office of Commission Clerk under Chapter 367 (water and wastewater), Chapter 366 (electric and gas), or Chapter 364 (telecom), Florida Statutes. Getting it wrong is expensive: the PSC reports that roughly 1 in 4 original water and wastewater CPCN applications is rejected on first review for incomplete territory descriptions, missing financial exhibits, or defective customer notice, and operating without a CPCN can trigger fines of up to $5,000 per day per violation under §367.161, F.S..
In this guide you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete every box, exhibit, and affidavit on the PSC’s CPCN application package
- 🗺️ How to draft a territory description and legal land description the PSC will accept
- 💰 How to calculate your filing fee under Rule 25-30.020, F.A.C. and avoid fee-deficiency rejections
- 📬 How to publish, mail, and prove the customer notice required by Rule 25-30.030
- ⚖️ How to file electronically through the PSC e-filing portal and what happens after the docket opens
What the CPCN Is and Who Must File It
A CPCN is a grant of authority — not a permit, not a franchise, and not a deed. It tells the world that the Florida Public Service Commission has reviewed your financial, technical, and managerial capability and has decided the public interest is served by letting you serve a specific geographic territory. Once granted, the certificate is recorded on the PSC’s master list, and your utility becomes subject to the PSC’s rate, quality-of-service, and reporting jurisdiction.
Investor-owned water and wastewater utilities in counties that have opted into PSC jurisdiction under §367.171, F.S. must file before serving the public. Investor-owned electric utilities and natural gas utilities must file under §366.04, F.S.. Competitive local exchange telecom carriers file a Certificate of Authority under §364.337, F.S., which the PSC treats as the telecom equivalent of a CPCN.
Municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and homeowners-association systems that serve only their members are generally exempt, but exemption is not automatic — you must file a Notice of Exemption under Rule 25-30.060, F.A.C. and receive a stamped acknowledgement before relying on it. The consequence of guessing wrong is severe: every day of unauthorized service is a separate violation, and the PSC can order disgorgement of every dollar collected from customers during the unauthorized period.
The agency that receives the form is the Office of Commission Clerk, the docket is opened the day fees clear, and the deadline to respond to staff deficiency letters is typically 30 days from the date of the letter. Miss it and the docket is closed without prejudice, meaning you start over and pay the fee again.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
The CPCN application is exhibit-driven, and the PSC’s Application for Original Certificate checklist runs more than a dozen items. Gather everything before you open the form, because partial filings are rejected at the clerk’s window before they ever reach a staff analyst.
- Articles of incorporation or organization filed with the Florida Division of Corporations — without active Sunbiz status, the PSC will not issue a certificate to a non-existent entity.
- Certificate of good standing dated within 90 days of filing — a stale certificate triggers an automatic deficiency letter.
- Detailed territory description in metes-and-bounds or section-township-range format — vague descriptions like “the Smith subdivision” are rejected because they cannot be plotted.
- Official county plat or USGS quad map with the proposed territory shaded — the PSC will not accept hand-drawn maps.
- Financial statements for the last two years (audited if available) plus a pro forma for years 1–3 — needed to prove financial capability under Rule 25-30.033.
- Tariff sheets in PSC format showing rates, service availability charges, and customer deposits — missing a single tariff sheet voids the entire filing.
- Proof of land ownership or long-term lease for the plant site — a recorded deed or 30-year lease is required so the PSC knows the plant is not on borrowed ground.
- DEP construction permits or permit applications for water and wastewater plants under Chapter 62-555, F.A.C. — the PSC coordinates closely with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- Customer notice drafted under Rule 25-30.030 and a list of every property owner within the proposed territory — incomplete notice is the single most common reason for re-filing.
- Filing fee check or ACH authorization sized to your projected ERCs (equivalent residential connections) under Rule 25-30.020, F.A.C. — a $1 shortfall stops the docket.
Each item matters because the PSC reviews the package as a whole; one missing exhibit means the entire application sits in the clerk’s office until cured.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official application package lives on the PSC’s Forms page for water and wastewater, the Electric Forms page for electric and gas, and the Telecommunications Forms page for CLECs. Always download the version stamped with the most recent revision date — the PSC updates the package after every rulemaking, and staff routinely reject the prior year’s form.
The 2025 revision of the water/wastewater package (revised 11/2025) is the current version as of this writing. Check the revision date on the bottom-left footer of page 1 before you start filling it out. If the date does not match the date on the website, you have an outdated copy.
You can complete the form in three ways. The fillable PDF works in Adobe Acrobat Reader and lets you type directly into each field. The print-and-ink-sign method is still accepted, but you must scan the executed pages to PDF for upload. Word-processor recreations are not accepted — the PSC requires the official PDF layout so the clerk’s docketing software can OCR the fields.
Access to the PSC e-filing portal requires a free user account. Register with the email address that will receive docket notices, because once the docket opens, every order, deficiency letter, and notice of hearing is delivered to that inbox. A misspelled email is the most common reason filers miss a 30-day deficiency deadline.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Florida PSC CPCN Application Line by Line
The water and wastewater package is the longest of the four CPCN forms, with roughly 30 numbered fields plus 14 exhibits labeled A through N. The electric, gas, and telecom packages share most of the same fields with industry-specific exhibits. Walk the form top to bottom in order — skipping fields and circling back is how filers lose track of dependencies between the territory description, the tariff, and the customer notice.
Box 1: Applicant’s Exact Legal Name
This field asks for the legal name of the entity that will hold the certificate. Enter the name exactly as it appears on the Sunbiz record, including “LLC,” “Inc.,” or “Corp.” in the same punctuation Sunbiz uses.
For example, Crystal Springs Utilities, LLC writes its name with the comma before “LLC” because that is how it is registered. A common formatting rule on PSC forms is title case, not all caps.
The most common edge case is a recent name change — if Sunbiz shows the new name but your DEP permit shows the old name, attach a Sunbiz amendment certificate so the PSC can match the records.
The most common mistake is entering a trade name (d/b/a) instead of the legal entity. The direct consequence is a deficiency letter ordering re-execution of the application, which delays the docket by at least 30 days.
A frequent misconception is that the PSC will accept the name on your business bank account. It will not — the PSC matches against Sunbiz, period.
Box 2: Fictitious Name (d/b/a)
This field asks whether you operate under a fictitious name. Enter the d/b/a only if it is registered under §865.09, F.S. on Sunbiz.
For example, Crystal Springs Utilities, LLC writes “d/b/a Crystal Springs Water” if that fictitious name is registered. Leave the box blank if you have no d/b/a.
The edge case here is a d/b/a that has lapsed. Florida fictitious names expire every five years, and an expired d/b/a is treated as no d/b/a at all.
The common mistake is listing a marketing name that was never registered. The consequence is that customer billing, tariff sheets, and PSC orders may not match the entity that actually owns the certificate, creating collection problems later.
A misconception is that an LLC’s “doing business as” registration in another state covers Florida. It does not — Florida requires its own filing.
Box 3: Mailing Address and Principal Office Address
This field asks for two addresses: the mailing address where the PSC sends paper notices and the principal office address where corporate records are kept. Enter both, even if they are identical, and use MM/DD/YYYY date format on any supporting affidavits.
For example, Crystal Springs lists its mailing address as PO Box 414, Brooksville, FL 34601 and its principal office as 2104 Spring Lake Road, Brooksville, FL 34601. PO Boxes are acceptable for the mailing address only.
The edge case is a virtual-office address. The PSC will accept a registered-agent address as the principal office only if the operator’s books and records are physically maintained there, which is rarely true.
The common mistake is using a job-site address that closes when the project ends. The consequence is undelivered PSC mail, which counts as constructive notice and can lead to default orders.
A misconception is that you can change the address informally. You cannot — every address change requires a written notice to the Commission Clerk under Rule 25-30.111.
Box 4: Contact Person and Telephone
This field asks for the human being staff will call when something is wrong with the filing. Enter a name, direct phone, and email — not a general “info@” inbox.
For example, Maria Lopez, Operations Manager, (352) 555-0144, mlopez@crystalsprings-fl.com is the right format. List one person, not a committee.
The edge case is when an attorney files on the utility’s behalf. List the attorney as the qualified representative in Box 4 and include their Florida Bar number.
The common mistake is listing a contractor or consultant who leaves the project. The consequence is missed deficiency letters and a closed docket.
The misconception is that staff will track down whoever answers the phone. Staff will not — they call the listed contact once and move on.
Box 5: Type of Application
This field asks whether you are seeking an original certificate, a territory amendment (extension or deletion), a transfer, or a name change. Check exactly one box.
For example, an entity buying an existing system checks Transfer and references the seller’s certificate number, while a new developer-utility checks Original Certificate.
The edge case is a simultaneous transfer-and-extension, which requires two separate applications filed under the same docket cover letter.
The common mistake is checking Original Certificate when the territory already has a certificated provider. The consequence is an automatic dismissal because two CPCNs cannot overlap the same territory.
A misconception is that buying the assets transfers the CPCN automatically. It does not — Section 367.071 requires PSC approval of every transfer.
Box 6: Existing Certificate Number (If Any)
This field asks for the certificate number of any existing PSC authorization the applicant already holds. Enter the number exactly as printed on the certificate, with the leading “WS-” or “CG-” prefix.
For example, an existing utility writes WS-365 if its water certificate is number 365. Leave blank for a true original application.
The edge case is a parent-subsidiary relationship where the parent holds a certificate and the subsidiary is applying for its own. List the parent’s number with a parenthetical (parent company).
The common mistake is omitting the prefix. The consequence is a clerk-level rejection because the docket cross-reference fails.
The misconception is that DEP permit numbers go here. They do not — only PSC numbers belong in Box 6.
Box 7: Territory Description
This field asks for a precise description of the geographic territory the certificate will cover. Use metes-and-bounds, section-township-range, or a recorded subdivision plat name with book and page.
For example, “All of Section 14, Township 22 South, Range 19 East, Hernando County, Florida, less the south 660 feet” is acceptable. “The Crystal Springs subdivision” is not.
The edge case is a phased development where future phases are not yet platted. Describe phase 1 only and file an amendment as each phase plats.
The common mistake is using marketing brochures or aerial photos instead of legal descriptions. The consequence is that staff cannot confirm the territory does not overlap a neighbor’s, and the application is suspended pending re-description.
The misconception is that the territory can be larger than current customers. It can — the PSC routinely grants territories sized for projected build-out, but every acre must be legally described.
Exhibit A: Map of Proposed Territory
This exhibit asks for a county or USGS map with the territory shaded and a north arrow. Submit at letter or legal size, color preferred, in PDF.
For example, Crystal Springs submits a Hernando County 1:24,000 USGS quad with the territory outlined in red and an inset showing the plant site.
The edge case is a territory that crosses county lines. Submit one map per county and a composite key map.
The common mistake is using Google Maps screenshots without scale or coordinates. The consequence is rejection of the exhibit because the map cannot be georeferenced to the legal description.
The misconception is that the map controls if it conflicts with the words. It does not — the legal description in Box 7 always controls.
Exhibit B: Tariff Sheets
This exhibit asks for proposed rates, charges, rules, and regulations in PSC tariff format. Use the model tariff in Rule 25-9.001, F.A.C. as your template.
For example, sheet No. 4.0 lists residential water rates as a base facility charge of $22.50 and a gallonage charge of $5.78 per 1,000 gallons. Each sheet has a number, an effective date, and an issuing officer’s signature.
The edge case is a utility that wants to adopt the rates of an acquired system. Reference the acquired tariff and request a “stay-in-place” finding under Rule 25-30.080.
The common mistake is omitting the service availability charges (main extension, plant capacity, meter installation). The consequence is that the utility cannot collect those charges from developers, even after the certificate issues.
The misconception is that rates can be raised after the certificate without filing. They cannot — every rate change requires a separate Section 367.081 proceeding.
Exhibit C: Financial Statements and Pro Forma
This exhibit asks for two years of historical financials and three years of projected financials. Use GAAP format and include a balance sheet, income statement, and cash-flow statement.
For example, Crystal Springs submits 2024 and 2025 audited statements plus 2026–2028 pro formas built on a 250-ERC build-out assumption.
The edge case is a brand-new entity with no history. Submit the parent’s financials and a written guaranty under Rule 25-30.033(1)(g).
The common mistake is filing tax returns instead of GAAP statements. The consequence is a deficiency letter requiring conversion, which often costs $3,000–$8,000 in CPA fees.
The misconception is that staff will accept “summary” financials. They will not — full statements with notes are required.
Exhibit D: Description of Proposed System
This exhibit asks for a narrative and engineering description of the plant — wells, treatment, storage, distribution mains for water; collection, treatment, and disposal for wastewater. Sign and seal it under a Florida-licensed professional engineer.
For example, “Two 8-inch wells rated at 350 gpm each, a 100,000-gallon ground storage tank, hypochlorite disinfection, and 18,400 linear feet of 6-inch and 8-inch PVC main” is the right level of detail.
The edge case is a system that will be built in phases. Describe ultimate build-out and identify which components are in phase 1.
The common mistake is submitting marketing brochures from the contractor. The consequence is that staff cannot confirm capacity is matched to ERCs, and the application is suspended.
The misconception is that the DEP permit description is enough. It is not — the PSC requires its own narrative tied to the territory and tariff.
Exhibit E: Customer Notice and Proof of Publication
This exhibit asks for the customer notice required by Rule 25-30.030, F.A.C.. Mail the notice to every property owner inside the territory, every utility within one mile, and the governing body of every county and municipality the territory touches.
For example, Crystal Springs mails 178 individual notices, publishes the notice once in the Tampa Bay Times legal section, and files an affidavit of publication signed by the newspaper’s legal-ad clerk.
The edge case is a territory with absentee owners. Use the property appraiser’s mailing address, not the parcel address.
The common mistake is mailing notices the day before filing. The consequence is that the 30-day protest period has not run when the application is filed, and the docket is suspended.
The misconception is that posting on the company website counts. It does not — the rule requires direct mail and newspaper publication.
Exhibit F: Filing Fee
This exhibit asks for a check, money order, or ACH confirmation in the amount calculated under Rule 25-30.020, F.A.C.. Fees scale with ERCs from a minimum of $750 to a maximum of $4,500 for original water/wastewater certificates.
For example, a 250-ERC water-only utility pays $1,500 under the rule’s third tier. Combined water-and-wastewater filings pay both fees.
The edge case is a transfer for less than book value, which has its own fee table — read the rule’s subsection (4) carefully.
The common mistake is rounding ERCs down. The consequence is a $1–$50 shortfall that stops the docket until cured.
The misconception is that the fee is refundable if the application is denied. It is not — fees are earned upon docketing.
Exhibit G: Affidavit of Compliance
This exhibit asks the principal officer to swear, under penalty of perjury, that all information is true and that customer notice has been given. Sign before a Florida notary public.
For example, “Maria Lopez, Manager of Crystal Springs Utilities, LLC, being duly sworn, says…” is the standard opening. Date the affidavit within 30 days of filing.
The edge case is an out-of-state officer. Sign before a notary in any state and include an apostille if the notary is foreign.
The common mistake is signing before mailing the customer notices. The consequence is a false affidavit, which is a third-degree felony under §837.012, F.S..
The misconception is that an LLC’s operating agreement signature satisfies the affidavit. It does not — the affidavit must be a stand-alone notarized statement.
Exhibit H: Proof of Land Ownership
This exhibit asks for a recorded deed, long-term lease, or easement showing the utility’s right to occupy the plant site. Submit the recorded copy with the clerk’s stamp.
For example, Crystal Springs files Official Records Book 3214, Page 0987, Hernando County showing fee simple title to the well-field parcel.
The edge case is a homeowners-association easement. Submit the recorded easement plus the HOA board resolution.
The common mistake is filing an unrecorded contract for deed. The consequence is a deficiency letter requiring recordation, which can take 4–6 weeks at busy clerk offices.
The misconception is that a verbal lease from the developer is enough. It is not — the PSC requires recorded written authority.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how the same form looks in three of the most common fact patterns. Each scenario follows one named filer through the major fields and exhibits, end to end.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez, original water/wastewater CPCN for a new 250-home development in Hernando County.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Legal Name | Crystal Springs Utilities, LLC |
| Box 5 — Type | Original Certificate (Water and Wastewater) |
| Box 7 — Territory | Section 14, Township 22 S, Range 19 E, Hernando County |
| Exhibit A — Map | USGS quad with red-shaded 240-acre territory |
| Exhibit B — Tariff | Base $22.50 + $5.78/kgal water; $34.10 base wastewater |
| Exhibit C — Financials | 2024–2025 audited; pro forma 2026–2028 at 250 ERCs |
| Exhibit E — Notice | 178 mailed notices + Tampa Bay Times publication |
| Exhibit F — Fee | $1,500 water + $1,500 wastewater = $3,000 |
| Exhibit G — Affidavit | Notarized 03/14/2026 before Hernando County notary |
Scenario 2 — Marcus Chen, territory amendment to extend an existing electric CPCN into a new subdivision in Marion County.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Legal Name | Heartland Power Company, Inc. |
| Box 5 — Type | Territory Amendment (Extension) |
| Box 6 — Existing Cert. | Electric Certificate No. 14 |
| Box 7 — New Territory | Sections 8–9, Township 15 S, Range 22 E |
| Exhibit A — Map | Marion County map with extension area cross-hatched |
| Exhibit D — System | Existing 12.47 kV feeder extension, 1.8 miles |
| Exhibit E — Notice | Notice mailed to neighboring co-op + city of Belleview |
| Exhibit F — Fee | $1,000 amendment fee under Rule 25-30.020(2) |
| Exhibit J — Territorial Agreement | Executed agreement with Sumter Electric Cooperative |
Scenario 3 — Janet Whitfield, transfer of a wastewater CPCN after acquiring a small Pasco County system.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Box 1 — Legal Name | Whitfield Water Resources, LLC |
| Box 5 — Type | Transfer of Existing Certificate |
| Box 6 — Existing Cert. | Wastewater Certificate No. 612 (Seller) |
| Box 7 — Territory | Unchanged from seller’s certificate |
| Exhibit B — Tariff | Stay-in-place at seller’s existing rates |
| Exhibit C — Financials | Buyer’s audited statements + acquisition adjustment |
| Exhibit E — Notice | Mailed to all 412 existing customers |
| Exhibit F — Fee | $750 transfer fee under Rule 25-30.020(4) |
| Exhibit K — Acquisition Adjustment | Purchase price $1.85M, NBV $2.10M |
How to File the Completed Form
The PSC accepts CPCN filings through three channels, and the channel you pick controls how quickly the docket opens. Pick one channel, not three — duplicate filings create duplicate dockets.
The preferred channel is the PSC e-filing portal. Upload each exhibit as a separate searchable PDF, pay the fee by ACH, and download the time-stamped receipt. Processing time to docket is typically one business day, and the receipt is your official proof of filing.
Mail filings go to Office of Commission Clerk, Florida Public Service Commission, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850. Include the original plus one paper copy, a CD or USB with searchable PDFs, and a check payable to Florida Public Service Commission. Mail processing adds 3–5 business days. Send by certified mail with return receipt; the green card is your proof of filing.
In-person filings are accepted at the same Shumard Oak address between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on business days. The clerk hand-stamps your cover letter and gives you a docket number on the spot. Bring a check or cashier’s check; the clerk does not accept cash or credit cards at the counter.
Fax is not accepted for new CPCN applications. The portal’s electronic signature feature satisfies the original-signature requirement for Exhibit G. Keep your time-stamped receipt for at least seven years; the PSC’s record-retention rule requires it for any future rate case.
What Happens After You File
Once the fee clears, the Commission Clerk opens a docket and assigns a number in the format YYYYNNNN-WS (water/wastewater), -EI (electric), -GU (gas), or -TX (telecom). Within 10 days, staff completes a completeness review and issues either an acknowledgement or a deficiency letter listing every missing item.
Cure deficiencies within the 30-day deadline stated in the letter. Staff then performs a substantive review, which usually takes 60–120 days for an uncontested original CPCN and longer for transfers or amendments with protests. Customers and competing utilities have a 30-day protest period from the date of customer notice; a timely protest converts the case to a formal Section 120.57 hearing.
If no protest is filed and staff recommends approval, the matter goes to an agenda conference where the five Commissioners vote. A favorable vote is followed by a written order issued within 20 days, and the actual certificate is mailed shortly after.
Your obligations begin on the order’s effective date. You must file annual reports under Rule 25-30.110, F.A.C., pay the regulatory assessment fee under §350.113, F.S., and notify the PSC of any officer, address, or ownership change within 30 days.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each mistake below has caused a real docket to stall. Read this list twice before you click Submit.
- Listing a trade name in Box 1 instead of the Sunbiz legal name, which voids the affidavit and triggers re-execution.
- Using a vague territory description in Box 7, which forces staff to suspend the docket until a metes-and-bounds description is filed.
- Submitting a Google Maps screenshot as Exhibit A, which is rejected because the map cannot be georeferenced.
- Filing tax returns instead of GAAP financials in Exhibit C, which forces a costly accountant conversion and a deficiency cure.
- Forgetting to mail the customer notice to neighboring utilities within one mile, which violates Rule 25-30.030 and restarts the protest clock.
- Calculating the filing fee on current ERCs instead of projected build-out ERCs, which produces a fee shortfall and stops the docket.
- Notarizing Exhibit G before mailing the notices, which makes the affidavit false on its face.
- Filing an unrecorded land contract as Exhibit H, which is rejected for lack of recorded title.
- Omitting service-availability charges from the tariff sheets, which prevents the utility from collecting from developers after the certificate issues.
- Misspelling the contact email in Box 4, which causes missed deficiency letters and default closure.
- Checking Original Certificate in Box 5 when an existing certificated utility already covers part of the territory, which forces dismissal because CPCNs cannot overlap.
- Skipping the certificate of good standing because the entity was just formed, which still requires a 90-day-fresh Sunbiz print-out.
Do’s and Don’ts
The list below distills three decades of CPCN practice into the rules that move dockets forward and the habits that grind them to a halt.
Do’s
- Do download the form fresh from the PSC Forms page the day you start, because revisions happen quietly.
- Do read Rule 25-30, F.A.C. end to end before drafting, because the rule controls every exhibit.
- Do hire a Florida-licensed PE to seal Exhibit D, because unsealed engineering exhibits are rejected on sight.
- Do mail customer notices by USPS Certificate of Mailing (Form 3877), because that creates the cleanest proof of mailing.
- Do reconcile your tariff rates with your pro forma revenue, because staff will compare them and a mismatch triggers a data request.
- Do save the e-filing receipt as a PDF the moment it appears, because the portal’s session may time out.
Don’ts
- Don’t paste in last year’s tariff without renumbering the sheets, because duplicate sheet numbers void the tariff exhibit.
- Don’t sign the affidavit before the notice is mailed, because the affidavit then states a fact that is not yet true.
- Don’t pay the fee from the seller’s account in a transfer, because the PSC matches payor to applicant.
- Don’t assume the DEP permit description satisfies Exhibit D, because the PSC requires its own narrative.
- Don’t promise rates lower than the pro forma supports, because the rates become a binding ceiling once granted.
- Don’t ignore a deficiency letter even by one day past the 30-day cure window, because the docket closes without prejudice and the fee is forfeited.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
CPCN filings can be done pro se, but most successful applicants use a regulatory attorney, a CPA, and a professional engineer. Weigh the trade-offs honestly before you decide.
Pros of filing on your own
- Saves $15,000–$50,000 in professional fees on a routine original CPCN.
- Gives the principal direct insight into PSC rules that will govern operations for decades.
- Eliminates the lag time that comes with outside-counsel scheduling.
- Forces the principal to read the statutes, which improves long-term compliance.
- Works well for very small transfers where the territory and tariff stay in place.
Cons of filing on your own
- A single defective exhibit can cost more in re-filing fees than the attorney would have charged.
- Customer-notice errors are nearly always fatal and almost always invisible to first-time filers.
- PE-sealed engineering exhibits cannot be self-prepared without a Florida PE on staff.
- Pro se filers routinely miss the 30-day deficiency cure deadline, losing the docket and the fee.
- A protest converts the case to a formal hearing under Chapter 120, F.S., which is virtually impossible to litigate without counsel.
A useful comparison of the two main filing channels is below.
| Filing by Mail | Filing Through the E-Portal |
|---|---|
| 3–5 day docketing lag | Same- or next-day docketing |
| Paper check or money order | ACH directly from operating account |
| Certified-mail green card as proof | Time-stamped PDF receipt as proof |
| Original ink signatures required | Digital signatures accepted under Rule 28-106.104 |
| Manual data entry by clerk staff | OCR-indexed automatically |
FAQs
Do I need a CPCN if I only serve customers inside one mobile-home park?
No. A landlord-tenant water or wastewater system that serves only the landlord’s tenants and bills service inside the rent is exempt under §367.022(5), F.S., but file a Notice of Exemption first.
Can I file a CPCN application before I form the LLC?
No. The applicant must be an active Florida entity on the Sunbiz database before the application is filed; staff will not docket a non-existent applicant.
Is the filing fee refundable if the PSC denies the application?
No. Fees under Rule 25-30.020 are earned upon docketing and are not refunded for denial, withdrawal, or staff dismissal.
Do I write my full legal name or my title in Box 4?
No — Box 4 wants the contact person’s full name and direct phone, while title goes on the affidavit signature line in Exhibit G.
Should the territory description in Box 7 match Exhibit A exactly?
Yes. The legal description in Box 7 controls if there is any conflict with the map, so make sure the map’s shading covers exactly the words in Box 7.
Can I use a Google Earth image as Exhibit A?
No. The PSC requires a county or USGS map at a recognized scale with a north arrow; aerial screenshots are rejected because they cannot be georeferenced.
Do I have to publish customer notice in a paid newspaper?
Yes. Rule 25-30.030 requires publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in each county the territory touches, plus direct mail to every property owner.
Can I list two contact people in Box 4?
No. The form expects one contact, and the PSC will only call or email the listed person; list a backup in the cover letter instead.
Is the PSC certificate the same as a county franchise?
No. A CPCN is state authority to operate; many counties also require a separate franchise agreement, and you need both before turning on service.
Do existing customers get to vote on a transfer application?
No. Customers receive notice and may file a written protest within 30 days, but the decision rests with the five Commissioners.
Should I file my DEP permit number in Box 6?
No. Box 6 takes only existing PSC certificate numbers; DEP permits go in the narrative in Exhibit D.
Can I sign Exhibit G electronically through the e-portal?
Yes. The PSC accepts digital signatures that comply with Rule 28-106.104, F.A.C., provided the document is also notarized electronically by a Florida online notary.
Do I need a separate CPCN for water and wastewater?
Yes. Each utility service is a separate certificate with its own number, fee, and tariff, even when one entity provides both.
What happens if a customer protests my application?
No routine approval is possible — a timely protest converts the case to a formal hearing under Chapter 120, F.S., before an administrative law judge or the Commissioners themselves.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Florida Form P-3.0250-A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida Form P-5.0250 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida PSC Annual Report Form (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida PSC Application for Authority to Transfer Certificate + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Florida PSC Tariff Filing (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Coastal Zone Consistency Certification + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Washington Ecology Water Quality Modification Permit + FAQs