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Environmental Rules in Sunrise, FL (2026)

5 verified environmental rules for Sunrise, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Stormwater Management

Sunrise requires the first half-inch of rainfall from any site to be retained on-site using swales, trench drains, or retention ponds. The city runs a stormwater utility and operates under a Broward County NPDES MS4 permit.

Sunrise Stormwater & On-Site Retention Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Sunrise, FL, Land Development Code ch. 16, Art. XII, Sec. 16-216 (On-site stormwater runoff)

The first one-half (½) inch of rainfall shall be retained on-site through the use of swales, trench drains, retention ponds and other similar techniques reasonably acceptable to the department.

Erosion Control

Sunrise requires cleared construction land to be mulched or regularly sprayed to control blowing dust and sediment. Land-disturbing sites of one acre or more also need a Florida NPDES construction stormwater permit.

Sunrise Erosion & Construction Site Dust Control

Some Restrictions

Sunrise, FL, Land Development Code ch. 16, Art. XII, Sec. 16-217 (Air pollution control)

During construction, cleared land not subject to active deployment shall be either mulched or regularly sprayed to minimize the blowing of dust. This includes unpaved vehicle use areas.

Coastal Development

Sunrise is inland western Broward with no ocean coastline, so there is no coastal construction control line. Development instead faces wetland review and canal protections, with the city bordering the Everglades Water Conservation Area to the west.

Sunrise Wetland & Everglades-Edge Development Rules

Some Restrictions

Sunrise, FL, Land Development Code ch. 16, Art. XII, Sec. 16-219 (Wetlands and natural vegetation)

At the time of site plan review, the department may determine the need for an environmental plan if significant wetlands or natural vegetation is located on the site.

Flood Zones

Most of low-lying Sunrise sits in FEMA flood zones. The city's Floodplain Management Ordinance requires construction elevated to base flood elevation, and its Community Rating System participation earns residents a 15% flood-insurance discount.

Sunrise Flood Zone & Floodplain Management Rules

Heavy Restrictions

Sunrise, FL, Land Development Code ch. 16, Art. XI, Sec. 16-202 (Floodplain Management — Applicability)

The flood hazard areas identified by FEMA in its currently effective Flood Insurance Study ("FIS") for Broward County, Florida and Incorporated Areas dated July 31, 2024, and all subsequent amendments and revisions, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), and all subsequent amendments and revisions to such maps, are adopted by reference as a part of this ordinance and shall serve...

Grading & Drainage

In flood-prone Sunrise, filling and grading count as floodplain development, and every site must retain its first half-inch of rainfall on-site. Drainage cannot be redirected onto neighboring lots or into canals.

Sunrise Grading, Fill & Drainage Requirements

Some Restrictions

Sunrise, FL, Land Development Code ch. 16, Art. XI, Sec. 16-201 (Floodplain Management — Scope)

The provisions of this article shall apply to all development that is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area, including but not limited to the subdivision of land; filling, grading, and other site improvements and utility installations

Looking for Broward County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sunrise city rules.

Environmental Rules in Broward County