Environmental Rules in Tallahassee, FL (2026)
4 verified environmental rules for Tallahassee, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Development that changes stormwater's predevelopment rate, volume or direction off-site needs approved treatment under Land Development Code Sec. 5-86. Wet detention ponds must capture at least the first three inches of rainfall, and post-development discharge rates cannot exceed predevelopment rates for storms up through a 25-year event.
Tallahassee Stormwater Management Standards
Some RestrictionsTallahassee Land Development Code § 5-86
(a)Applicability. No person shall engage in any development activity that causes changes in the predevelopment rate, volume, quality, or direction of stormwater flow leaving the development site unless potentially significant off-site adverse impacts are managed by appropriate measures in accordance with the requirements of this section... (c)Water quality treatment standards.(2)Stormwater wate...
Erosion Control
Every environmental management permit application in Tallahassee must include a sediment and erosion control plan under Land Development Code Sec. 5-88. Sites cleared for more than 14 days without active work must be stabilized with vegetative ground cover, and failure to follow the plan brings an immediate stop-work order.
Tallahassee Erosion and Sediment Control Rules
Some RestrictionsTallahassee Land Development Code § 5-88
The sediment and erosion control plan is a document to be submitted as part of every environmental management permit application. It shall indicate the type and location of the best management practices to be implemented on the development site in order to minimize erosion and prevent sediment from leaving the site. Failure to properly execute the sediment and erosion control plan or any condit...
Flood Zones
Tallahassee requires a floodplain development permit before any development activity, including fill, grading, or structural work, inside the areas of special flood hazard shown on the city's FEMA flood insurance rate map. Land Development Code § 6-32 puts the building official in charge of reviewing plans, elevation data, and drainage details before work begins.
Tallahassee Floodplain Development Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsTallahassee Land Development Code § 6-32
(a)Generally. A permit shall be required in conformance with the provisions of this chapter prior to the commencement of any development activities.(b)Permit procedures. Application for a permit shall be made to the building official, building inspection division, as required by local ordinance on forms furnished by them prior to any development activities, and may include, but not be limited t...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Tallahassee requires new and substantially improved residential structures in a mapped flood hazard area to sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation, a full foot of freeboard above FEMA's federal minimum, under Land Development Code § 6-62(1). Mechanical equipment must clear one foot above base flood elevation, and nonresidential buildings may floodproof instead of elevating.
Tallahassee's Two-Foot Flood Elevation Freeboard
Some RestrictionsTallahassee Land Development Code § 6-62(1)
Residential construction. New construction and substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two feet above the base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of floodwaters shall be provided in accordance with st...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tallahassee city rules.
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