Environmental Rules in Broward County, FL (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Broward County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Broward County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Stormwater Management

Broward County requires a Public Works and Environmental Services Department license before constructing any stormwater or surface water management works, with citations up to $500 and hearing-examiner penalties up to $15,000 per day of violation.

Broward County Stormwater Management License Rules

Significant Restrictions

Broward County Code § 27-198(d)(1)

(1)License required: Any person constructing water management works other than those exempted in Section 27-194(c) shall obtain a county license.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Erosion Control

Filling, grading, or draining land in a flood hazard area of unincorporated Broward County requires a floodplain development permit from the county Floodplain Administrator before any work begins.

Broward County Floodplain Grading Permit

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 5-81

Any owner of property or such owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this Article, including construction of, or repair or improvements to, 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 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Zones

Any development in a Broward flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit before work starts, under the county's Floodplain Management Ordinance.

Broward County Floodplain Development Permits

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 5-81(a)

Any owner of property or such owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this Article, including construction of, or repair or improvements to, 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 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Boat Dock Permits

Unincorporated Broward caps private docks at 5 feet past the property line into a waterway and 10 feet from a neighbor's plot line.

Broward County Dock Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-275(12)(a)

Docks and moorings for pleasure boats, yachts and other noncommercial watercraft shall be permitted in residential zoning districts on any waterway or water area as an accessory use... No dock shall project more than five (5) feet into any waterway beyond the property line along the waterway or the established bulkhead line. No dock shall extend closer than ten (10) feet to the plot line of any...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Elevation Requirements

Unincorporated Broward County ties new construction to FEMA's base flood elevation, requiring accessory structures and their utilities to sit at least one foot above BFE under the county's Floodplain Management Ordinance.

Broward County Flood Elevation Freeboard Rules

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 5-88(c)

Accessory structures are permitted below the elevations specified by the Florida Building Code if the accessory structures: ... (5) Have flood damage-resistant materials used below the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot; and (6) Have mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems, including plumbing fixtures, elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one (1) foot.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗