Environmental Rules in Ocala, FL (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Ocala, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Ocala bans dumping anything but rain into its storm drains under the city's illicit discharge and connection ordinance. The engineering department enforces the rule citywide, and violators face notice-and-cure procedures before fines start accruing.
Ocala Stormwater Discharge Rules
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances §§ 102-300, 102-308, 102-314
This article shall be known as the stormwater system illicit discharge and connection ordinance. ... shall set prohibitions and restrictions to prevent illicit and illegal discharges from entering or being deposited into the city's stormwater collection system. ... (a)Prohibition of illegal discharges. Throwing, draining, or otherwise discharging, causing, or permitting others under its one's c...
Erosion Control
Ocala folds erosion and sediment control into its stormwater ordinance: any project disturbing an acre or more counts as regulated construction activity, and operators must notify the city's engineering department and run best management practices under a stormwater management plan.
Ocala Construction Site Runoff Rules
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances §§ 102-302, 102-310, 102-312
Construction activity means any activity subject to NPDES construction permits including construction project activities resulting in land disturbance of one acre or more. Such activities include but are not limited to clearing and grubbing, demolition, grading, excavating, utility installation, building erection, paving and landscaping. ... (a)Submission of notice of intent to city.(1)Any pers...
Flood Zones
Anyone developing in an Ocala flood hazard area must get a floodplain development permit from the floodplain administrator, the city engineer, under City Code § 90-14(a), even for structures exempt from the Florida Building Code. The permit lapses if work does not start within 180 days or is abandoned for 180 days, though the administrator can grant 180-day extensions. Development also needs any required state or federal permits.
Ocala Floodplain Development Permit Requirements
Significant RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 90-14
(a)Permits required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this chapter, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area shall first make application to the floodplain administrator, and the city bu...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Ocala's flood amendments to the Florida Building Code require most new construction to sit at least one foot above base flood elevation or the ASCE 24 standard, whichever is higher, two feet for new critical facilities under Sec. 82-33, and three feet for critical facilities built under Chapter 90's separate flood-resistant construction standard.
Ocala Requires Base Flood Elevation Plus 1-3 Ft Freeboard
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances §§ 82-33, 90-20
1612.4.2 Elevation requirements. The minimum elevation requirements shall be as specified in ASCE 24 or the base flood elevation plus 1 foot (305 mm), whichever is higher. The minimum elevation requirements for new critical facilities, as defined in Chapter 90. Code of Ordinances of the City of Ocala. shall be the base flood elevation plus 2 feet (610 mm) or the elevation required by ASCE 24, w...
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