Jacksonville, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Ordinance Code § 754.201
- Core duty
- Retain sediment on-site via BMPs
- MS4 discharge
- Written notice to City Engineer required
- Max civil penalty
- $500-$2,000 per day
- Enforcing office
- Stormwater Management Utility Director
Summary
Construction sites in Jacksonville must use best management practices to keep sediment on-site and control stormwater runoff before it reaches storm drains or waterways.
Using best management practices, stormwater from construction sites shall be controlled to retain sediment on-site and prevent violations of State water quality standards. All erosion and sediment controls required under the pollution prevention plan of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit for construction, required by a stormwater permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the St. Johns River Water Management District, or required by a City permit or approved construction plan shall be properly implemented, maintained and operated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Under Ordinance Code § 754.201, anyone doing construction work in Jacksonville has to control stormwater with best management practices to retain sediment on-site and keep it out of the storm sewer system and surface waters. Any erosion and sediment controls required by an NPDES construction permit, a Florida DEP or St. Johns River Water Management District stormwater permit, or a City permit or approved construction plan must be properly installed, maintained, and operated: the specifics come from the City's Land Development Procedures Manual. Sites discharging to the City's MS4 storm sewer system also have to notify the Office of the City Engineer in writing before discharge starts.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Stormwater Management Utility Director; civil citations under F.S. Ch. 162 Part II and Ch. 609, or injunctive relief plus civil penalties of $500 per day of violation. A related Part 2 violation is a class D offense punishable by up to $2,000/day, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit before starting erosion controls on a Jacksonville construction site?
What happens if a construction site lets sediment run off in Jacksonville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jacksonville
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Jacksonville to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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