Miami-Dade County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- DERM (Div. of Environmental Resources Mgmt.)
- Trigger
- Earthwork/excavation near ROW or water bodies
- Required plan
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- Large-site rule
- Retain 25-yr/6-hr storm runoff onsite if >1 acre
- Civil penalty
- $2,500 per violation (Sec. 8CC-10)
Summary
Miami-Dade County requires erosion and sedimentation controls for construction near rights-of-way or water bodies, spelled out in a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan that DERM must review and approve.
Construction activities involving earth work or excavations along public rights-of-way or adjacent to water bodies shall provide erosion and sedimentation controls to limit impacts to existing drainage facilities, water bodies, and natural preserve areas. The controls shall be included in the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to be submitted as part of a permit application and shall be subject to review and approval by the Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Miami-Dade County's stormwater code (Sec. 24-42.8(4)(f)) requires erosion and sedimentation controls on any construction involving earthwork or excavation along public rights-of-way or near water bodies, protecting drainage facilities, water bodies and natural preserve areas. The controls must be spelled out in a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) filed with the DERM Director for review and approval as part of the permit application. Projects disturbing more than one acre of impervious area must also add temporary stormwater retention sized for a 25-year/6-hour storm, and exposed soil must stay stabilized or covered during construction. The rule reaches development orders and their municipal equivalents, covering unincorporated Miami-Dade and its 34 municipalities alike.
Violations & Fines
Failing to include required controls or exceeding stormwater limits is a stormwater-regulation violation carrying a 2,500 dollar civil penalty per Chapter 8CC's schedule (Section 8CC-10), on top of any permit denial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside cities like Miami or Hialeah, not just unincorporated areas?
What triggers the erosion-control requirement?
Are there extra rules for large sites?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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