Broward County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitting authority
- County Floodplain Administrator (Building Official)
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Broward flood hazard areas only
- Permit validity
- Expires after 180 days unstarted
- Covers
- Filling, grading, excavation, site improvements
- Governing law
- Code of Ordinances Ch. 5, Art. V
Summary
Filling, grading, or draining land in a flood hazard area of unincorporated Broward County requires a floodplain development permit from the county Floodplain Administrator before any work begins.
Any owner of property or such owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development activity within the scope of this Article, including construction of, or repair or improvements to, buildings, structures, and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area, shall first make application to the Floodplain Administrator, and the Building Official if applicable and different from the Floodplain Administrator, and shall obtain the required permit(s) and approval(s). No such permit or approval shall be issued until compliance with the requirements of this Article and all other applicable codes and regulations has been satisfied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County's Floodplain Management Ordinance (Code of Ordinances, Ch. 5, Art. V) covers all development in flood hazard areas of unincorporated Broward, expressly including filling, grading, and other site improvements. Sec. 5-81 requires any property owner or agent to apply to the Floodplain Administrator (the Building Official) and obtain a permit before starting; no permit issues until the work complies with the Article and all other applicable codes. Permits expire if work is not started within 180 days. Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs and Broward's other 27 municipalities administer their own separate floodplain and grading permits within their city limits.
Violations & Fines
Grading or filling without a permit, or work that conflicts with an issued permit, is a violation under Sec. 5-85; the Floodplain Administrator can issue citations, notices of violation, or stop-work orders, with continued work punishable under Chapter 8½ (Code Enforcement).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to grade or fill my unincorporated Broward lot?
Does this apply inside Fort Lauderdale or Hollywood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
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