Environmental Rules in Monroe County, FL (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Monroe County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-3 requires every stormwater management plan to meet the county's Manual of Stormwater Management Practices, sized to a 24-hour, 25-year storm event and a 95 percent reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loads before discharge. Single-family and duplex homes follow simplified best-management-practice standards; larger projects need a sealed engineer's plan reviewed by the Planning and Environmental Resources Department before a building permit issues.
Stormwater Rules in Unincorporated Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-3
(a)Intent. It is the intent of this section to establish guidelines and criteria for the safe management and disposal of stormwater runoff from developed areas that will minimize or eliminate any resultant adverse impacts on the surface water, groundwater, and other natural resources of the county. ... (b)Applicability. ... Single-family and duplex residences are required to observe best manage...
Erosion Control
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Land Development Code § 114-3(j) requires an erosion-and-sediment-control inspection during and after construction on any project subject to the county's surface water management rules. Control measures must be installed and stabilized around the perimeter of the construction area, and the Planning Director schedules the inspection alongside other required stormwater and building inspections before work can proceed to completion.
Erosion and Sediment Control in Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-3(j)
(j)Maintenance and inspection. (1)The installed systems required by these regulations shall be maintained by the owner or approved operating entity, except that the county may select certain systems for county maintenance. ... The Planning Director shall give such owner written notice of the nature of corrective action necessary. Should the owner fail, within 30 days from the date of the notice...
Flood Zones
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), the Floodplain Management Ordinance in Land Development Code Chapter 122 regulates nearly every kind of development within a mapped flood hazard area, from subdividing land to installing a swimming pool, using the county's 2005 flood insurance study and FEMA flood insurance rate maps as the baseline.
Monroe County Floodplain Development Ordinance
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 122-1
(a)Title. These regulations shall be known as the Floodplain Management Ordinance of Monroe County, hereinafter referred to as "this chapter."(b)Scope. The provisions of this chapter 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 instal...
Boat Dock Permits
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), a private dock cannot exceed ten percent of the waterbody's width and needs both a county shoreline-setback permit and Florida DEP or Army Corps of Engineers authorization before construction, under Land Development Code Section 118-12, which also caps how much of a canal or basin a dock and moored vessel may occupy.
Monroe County Keys Dock Permit Standards
Significant RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 118-12
(a)Purpose. ... The purpose of this Section is to allow for reasonable access between the land and water, provide secure boat storage, ensure good water quality, provide an appearance consistent with community character, protect structures from the effects of long-term sea level rise, protect beaches and shores from erosion, protect over-water views, avoid adverse impacts on navigation, and pro...
Flood Elevation Requirements
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), an at-grade detached accessory structure in a special flood hazard area is capped at 600 square feet and one story, and its mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation plus one foot under Land Development Code Section 122-25.
Monroe County Accessory Structure Flood Elevation
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 122-25
(c)At-grade residential detached accessory structures. At-grade detached accessory structures are permitted 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, are one-story and not larger than 600 square feet and have flood openings in accordance with Section R322.2 of the Flor...
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