Environmental Rules in Bay County, FL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Bay County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Building or altering a stormwater system in Bay County requires an Environmental Resource Permit. Under Fla. Stat. §373.413, the Northwest Florida Water Management District permits these systems so runoff does not harm the district's waters, including St. Andrew Bay.
Bay County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 373.413(1)
Except for the exemptions set forth herein, the governing board or the department may require such permits and impose such reasonable conditions as are necessary to assure that the construction or alteration of any stormwater management system, dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work, or works will comply with the provisions of this part and applicable rules promulgated thereto and will n...
Erosion Control
Erosion and sediment control in Bay County runs through the Environmental Resource Permit. Under Fla. Stat. §373.413, land clearing and construction that alters a stormwater system must control sediment so it does not harm St. Andrew Bay and Gulf waters.
Bay County Erosion Control Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 373.413(1)
Except for the exemptions set forth herein, the governing board or the department may require such permits and impose such reasonable conditions as are necessary to assure that the construction or alteration of any stormwater management system, dam, impoundment, reservoir, appurtenant work, or works will comply with the provisions of this part and applicable rules promulgated thereto and will n...
Coastal Development
Panama City Beach and Mexico Beach front the Gulf of Mexico. Under Fla. Stat. §161.053, an FDEP permit is required to build, excavate, or alter ground seaward of the coastal construction control line, on top of any local permit.
Bay County Coastal Development Rules
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 161.053(2)(a)
Upon such filing with the Department of State, no person, firm, corporation, or governmental agency shall construct any structure whatsoever seaward thereof; make any excavation, remove any beach material, or otherwise alter existing ground elevations; drive any vehicle on, over, or across any sand dune; or damage or cause to be damaged such sand dune or the vegetation growing thereon seaward t...
Flood Zones
Bay County's Floodplain Management Ordinance requires a floodplain development permit for any construction, fill, grading or utility work wholly or partly within a mapped flood hazard area, on top of any Florida Building Code permit. The floodplain administrator, who is the building official, reviews elevation, substantial-improvement and coastal-construction issues before signing off.
Bay County Floodplain Development Permits
Significant RestrictionsBay County Code of Ordinances § 9-31
Permits required. Any owner or owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this article, 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 shall obtain th...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Unincorporated Bay County requires new buildings, structures and manufactured homes in flood hazard areas to sit at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot of freeboard. The floodplain administrator, the building official, issues permits and enforces the standard.
Bay County One-Foot Freeboard Rule
Some RestrictionsBay County Code of Ordinances § 9-38(a)
One-foot freeboard requirement. In accordance with the Florida Building Code and this chapter, all buildings and structures and manufactured homes are required to be elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot. Equipment and utilities that serve buildings and manufactured homes are required to be elevated or protected in accordance with the Florida Building Code and this chapter.
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