Environmental Rules in Highlands County, FL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Highlands County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In unincorporated Highlands County, Division 4 of the Land Development Regulations governs every stormwater management system built with new development. Highlands County Code § 12.12.400 requires systems to meet state water-quality rules, while § 12.12.402 forces a Florida-licensed engineer to certify that detention and retention basins follow the county's Technical Standards Manual before Development Services will approve a site plan.
Stormwater Management Rules in Highlands County
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code §§ 12.12.400, 12.12.402
A.Purpose and intent. ... This division is intended and shall be interpreted to protect, maintain, and enhance both the immediate and long-term health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Highlands County through the following:1.Preventing activities that adversely affect ground and surface waters.2.Encouraging construction of stormwater management systems that aesthetically and func...
Erosion Control
Every construction site in unincorporated Highlands County that needs a Florida Building Permit or a county clearing/grading permit must install erosion and sediment controls, no matter the site's size. Highlands County Code § 12.12.407(E) folds this requirement into the county's federal stormwater permit and also forces contractors to contain construction debris, concrete washout and chemicals on site.
Erosion and Sediment Control, Highlands County
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 12.12.407(E)(3)-(4)
3.All sites, regardless of size where construction activity requires the issuance of a Florida Building Permit for any type of construction or where a locally issued permit for clearing or grading is issued, shall implement erosion and sediment controls to prevent the discharge of sediment laden runoff from the site. Those controls may be based on generally accepted sediment and erosion control...
Flood Zones
Any development wholly or partly inside a mapped flood hazard area in unincorporated Highlands County, from subdividing land to installing a pool, falls under the county's Floodplain Management Ordinance. Highlands County Code §§ 12.12.500(B) and 12.12.504(A) require a flood hazard development permit or approval before that work can begin, issued by the floodplain administrator and building official together.
Floodplain Development Permits, Highlands County
Significant RestrictionsHighlands County Code §§ 12.12.500(B), 12.12.504(A)
B.Scope. The provisions of this division 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; construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, improvement, replacement, repair, relocation or demolition of buildings, structure...
Boat Dock Permits
Building or altering a dock or boathouse on a Highlands County waterway needs a building permit, and Development Services won't issue one until the applicant shows state and federal clearance, or that none is required. Every approved dock permit also requires red reflective markers at least three inches wide, spaced eight feet apart along both sides and the outer end of the dock.
Highlands County Boat Dock Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 12.05.310
E.A building permit to alter or erect any boathouse under this section shall not be issued unless and until evidence has been presented showing that the proposed boathouse or alteration has been cleared with and approved by the appropriate state and federal authorities, or until a showing has been made that such approval or approvals are not required by such authorities. ... H.All dock permits ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In unincorporated Highlands County's mapped flood hazard areas, new construction and substantially improved buildings must sit at least two feet above the base flood elevation. Highlands County Code § 12.12.511(B) applies this freeboard to both residential and non-residential structures, and the Development Services director, acting as floodplain administrator, enforces it under the county's Floodplain Management Ordinance.
Base Flood Elevation Freeboard, Highlands County
Significant RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 12.12.511(B)(1)-(2)
1.Residential construction. New construction or 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 flood waters shall be provided in accordance with ...
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