5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Hillsborough County enforces SWFWMD Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) standards for all development disturbing over 1 acre or creating 4,000+ sq ft of new impervious surface. Illicit stormwater discharge prohibited under County Code Chapter 1-16 per NPDES MS4 permit.
Hillsborough County requires erosion and sediment control plans for any land disturbance over 1 acre per LDC §4.01 and FDEP Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Construction. Silt fences, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances mandatory.
FDEP NPDES Stormwater Program — Construction Generic Permit (CGP)
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Program regulates point source discharges from three potential sources: Construction Activities; Industrial Activities; Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4). Stormwater runoff is generated from rain events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots and building rooftops, and does ...
Hillsborough County's Tampa Bay shoreline is estuarine, so the Florida Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) program under F.S. 161.053 does NOT apply countywide (only Gulf-fronting sandy-beach counties have CCCLs). Instead, coastal development in unincorporated Hillsborough is governed by Land Development Code Part 3.04.00 (Coastal High Hazard Area), the Construction Code in County Code Chapter 8, the 2023 Florida Building Code, ASCE 24, and FEMA NFIP standards, with the most restrictive prevailing. Special needs facilities (hospitals, nursing homes, ALFs) are prohibited in the CHHA under Future Land Use Policy 6.01.8, and structures in V Zones, Coastal A Zones, and SFHAs require elevation certificates and may require a sealed geotechnical report.
Large portions of Hillsborough County lie in FEMA AE and VE flood zones along Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Hillsborough River, and Alafia River. County participates in NFIP and CRS Class 5, giving residents 25% discount on flood insurance. Elevation certificates required for all construction in SFHA.
Hillsborough County requires grading permits for any earthwork over 50 cubic yards or affecting drainage patterns. LDC §4.01 prohibits altering natural drainage to harm adjacent property. Finished grade must direct water to approved stormwater system, not neighboring lots.
3 cities in Hillsborough County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Hillsborough County Ordinance Hub →