Environmental Rules in Hillsborough County, FL (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Hillsborough County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New subdivisions in unincorporated Hillsborough County must design stormwater systems to SWFWMD water-quality standards and the county's own Stormwater Management Technical Manual before plats are approved.
Hillsborough County Stormwater Management Rules
Some RestrictionsHillsborough County Land Development Code Sec. 6.02.11 (A, B.1)
The Stormwater Management System shall be designed to comply with the water quality requirements of SWFWMD and with the Hillsborough County Stormwater Management Technical Manual. B. Drainage Easements; Use Restrictions and County Maintenance. 1. Drainage improvements shall be allowed in drainage easements. When public drainage easements are shown on ...
Erosion Control
Grading, filling, excavating, or otherwise changing the topography of land in unincorporated Hillsborough County is regulated 'land alteration': a Natural Resources Permit from the county Administrator is required before work starts, unless a listed exemption applies.
Hillsborough County Land Grading Permit
Some RestrictionsHillsborough County LDC § 4.01.03.A
Except as specifically exempted herein, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation, either individually or through an agent to cause land alteration within the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County without having obtained a Natural Resources Permit from the Administrator, or to allow a condition which is the result of unauthorized land alteration activity to remain unremedied.
Flood Zones
Any development in a Hillsborough County flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit before work starts, covering subdivisions, fill, grading, and building alteration.
Hillsborough County Flood Zone Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsHillsborough County Land Development Code § 3.06.01(B)
The provisions of this Part 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; construction, alteration, remodeling, enlargement, improvement, replacement, repair, relocation or demolition of buildings, structures, and facilities that are exempt from ...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Hillsborough County requires new critical facilities in flood hazard areas to sit three feet above base flood elevation, or use the 500-year flood level if it is higher.
Hillsborough County Critical Facility Freeboard
Significant RestrictionsHillsborough County Land Development Code § 3.06.09(B)(1)
New critical facilities shall, to the extent feasible, be located outside of the special flood hazard area, outside of the 0.2 percent annual chance (500-year) floodplain, and on land that is higher than three (3) feet above the nearest base flood elevation. If documentation is provided that feasible sites that satisfy the objectives of a proposed critical facili...
Environmental Rules by City in Hillsborough County
1 cities in Hillsborough County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Hillsborough County ordinances
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