Environmental Rules in Alachua County, FL (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Alachua County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Alachua County Code § 77.09 bans dry-weather discharges of specific wastewater types, car-wash and pressure-washing runoff, chlorinated pool water, dumpster leachate, and water-softener brine, into surface waters, groundwater, wells, or sinkholes anywhere in the county. Litter and yard debris are also barred from reaching surface water bodies.
Alachua County Stormwater Discharge Prohibitions
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 77.09
(a)Dry weather runoff water. It shall be prohibited to discharge into surface waters or directly into ground waters through wells or sinkholes the following materials:(1)Wastewater from cleaning or maintenance activities, including, but not limited to car washing, carpet cleaning, sidewalk, building, roads and parking lot cleaning.(2)Chlorinated wastewater from swimming pools cleanup and pool w...
Erosion Control
Any construction project subject to Alachua County's development review must submit an erosion and sedimentation control plan prepared by a certified specialist, professional engineer, architect, licensed landscape contractor, or USDA conservation specialist, built to the Florida DEP's Erosion and Sedimentation Control Manual. Steep basin slopes need stapled sod, fast outlets need energy dissipation, and off-site dewatering discharge into the county right-of-way needs a Public Works permit.
Erosion & Sediment Control Rules (Alachua County)
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 407.95
(a)The erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be prepared by a certified sediment and erosion control specialist, a registered civil engineer, registered architect, licensed landscape contractor, resource conservation district, or USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Specialist and conform to the general standards of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Erosion and Sed...
Flood Zones
Any development inside a mapped flood hazard area in unincorporated Alachua County needs a floodplain development permit before work starts, under Alachua County Code § 406.56. New lots must include buildable area above the 100-year floodplain, and new habitable structures must sit entirely outside it.
Floodplain Development Permit Rules, Alachua County
Significant RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 406.56
Any development in a flood hazard area is hereby prohibited, unless a floodplain development permit and building permit is first obtained. All newly created lots shall include adequate buildable area above the 100-year floodplain and all new habitable structures on such lots must be outside the floodplain. Existing lots of record as of October 2, 1991 may only develop in conformance with the fl...
Boat Dock Permits
Docks on unincorporated Alachua County waterfront are a limited use under ULDC Section 404.108, capped at 600 square feet through pre-application screening (900 with Development Review Committee approval), 14 feet tall, and set back 10 to 25 feet from side lines depending on shoreline width.
Boat Dock Construction Permit Rules in Alachua County
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 404.108
Docks are allowed as limited uses in the unincorporated area, provided the conditions of this Section are satisfied. ... (1)Size limits.a.Maximum size. The maximum total footprint of a dock shall not exceed 600 square feet. ... b.Maximum total width and covered width. ... If the property width at the lateral shoreline is 80 feet or less, the maximum width of a dock shall not exceed 20 feet. If ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Alachua County requires the lowest floor of any residential structure on an existing lot of record in a flood hazard area to sit at least one foot above the base flood elevation, under Alachua County Code § 406.57(d). Where no base flood elevation has been set, the floor must instead clear the highest natural ground by three feet.
Base Flood Elevation Freeboard Rule, Alachua County
Some RestrictionsAlachua County Code § 406.57(d)
(d)Minimum elevation. All residential structures on existing lots of record must have the lowest floor elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood elevation for that site. This can be achieved by using an open foundation, such as pilings or stem wall designed with openings as described in Subsection 406.57(k). Where the base flood elevation has not been established, the lowest floor ele...
Environmental Rules by City in Alachua County
1 cities in Alachua County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Alachua County ordinances
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