Environmental Rules in Martin County, FL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Martin County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
Martin County requires every new development to hold post-development runoff at predevelopment rate, volume, timing and quality, engineered to control a 25-year, three-day storm and a 3-year, one-day storm under the County Engineer's review. No development order can issue until a licensed engineer certifies full compliance with LDR Divisions 9 and 10.
Martin County Stormwater Management Standards
Some RestrictionsMartin County LDR §§ 4.381, 4.385.B.4 (Article 4, Division 9, Stormwater Management)
The purposes of this division are to ensure that development activity: enhances the water quality of downstream water bodies; does not impede or negatively alter the historic flow of stormwater runoff; and does not create additional stormwater runoff, and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare. ... Discharge from the site after development shall have approximately the same rat...
Erosion Control
Martin County requires erosion and sediment controls on every construction site to be installed, operated, and maintained so runoff doesn't reach the county storm sewer system.
Martin County construction erosion control
Some RestrictionsMartin County Code § 67.405(A)-(B)
Stormwater from areas of any commercial activity, industrial activity or construction activities shall be controlled, treated and managed on-site using BMPs so as not to cause an illicit discharge to the County's MS4 or regulated waters. All erosion, pollutant, and sediment controls required by any applicable local, state, or federal permit, including elements of a stormwater pollution preventi...
Flood Zones
Every subdivision, building, fill operation and utility installation wholly or partly within a mapped Special Flood Hazard Area in unincorporated Martin County must comply with Land Development Regulations Division 10. The boundaries come from the February 19, 2020 Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and a development order or Floodplain Approval is required before work begins.
Martin County Special Flood Hazard Area Rules
Some RestrictionsMartin County LDR §§ 4.421.A, 4.422.C (Article 4, Division 10, Flood Protection)
4.421.A.Scope. The provisions of this division shall apply to all development that is wholly within or partially within any Special 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 buildi...
Boat Dock Permits
Martin County requires detailed construction drawings for any residential or commercial dock, built to Florida Building Code standards, to be submitted to the County for review and approved before a permit issues. The Land Development Regulations separately bar hazardous materials, like broken glass, spikes or barbed wire, from any dock or piling.
Martin County Dock Permit and Safety Rules
Some RestrictionsMartin County Code of Ordinances § 21.252; Martin County LDR § 3.202
Detailed construction drawings of the design of any residential or commercial dock prepared in accordance with the Florida Building Code shall be submitted to the County for review and approval. The proposed dock shall adhere to the construction and design requirements of the Florida Building Code, as may be amended. No permit(s) shall be issued by Martin County, unless all required approvals f...
Vehicle Idling Restrictions
Martin County caps truck tractor and refrigeration trailer engine idling at five minutes inside any approved truck stop or travel center, per Land Development Regulations Sec. 3.103.1.D. Engines must shut off once parked, and every tractor-trailer space has to carry electrical hookups for heating, ventilation and air conditioning so drivers do not need to keep the engine running.
Truck Stop Idling Limit in Martin County
Some RestrictionsMartin County LDR § 3.103.1.D (Article 3, Division 3, Truck Stop/Travel Center Standards)
Truck tractor engines and refrigeration trailer engines shall not be allowed to idle for more than five minutes, unless being serviced. Truck engines and refrigeration trailer engines must be turned off when parked. Each parking space provided for tractor-trailer parking shall include electrical power, heating, ventilation and air conditioning while the tractor-trailer is parked. 1.Following de...
Flood Elevation Requirements
Martin County requires accessory structures and utilities in Special Flood Hazard Areas to sit at or above the base flood elevation plus one foot, with primary buildings designed to ASCE 24 flood-resistant standards. The County Engineer, acting as Floodplain Administrator, reviews plans, issues Floodplain Approvals, and inspects lowest-floor elevation certifications before a certificate of occupancy is granted.
Martin County Flood Elevation and Freeboard Rules
Some RestrictionsMartin County LDR § 4.430.C (Article 4, Division 10, Flood Protection)
4.430.C.Accessory structures. Accessory structures are permitted below the base flood elevation provided the accessory structures are used only for parking or storage and:(1)If located in special flood hazard areas (Zone A/AE) other than coastal high hazard areas and Coastal A Zones, are one-story and not larger than 600 square feet and have flood openings in accordance with Section R322.2 of t...
All Martin County ordinances
See every category we cover for Martin County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Martin County Ordinance Hub →