Lee County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Chapter 14, Article VII of the Land Development Code implements Lee County's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit, number FLS000035, for its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. Section 14-476(b) requires every development approval for construction disturbing more than one acre to submit an SWP3 meeting Section 14-477's criteria before development order approval, or before the building or vegetation-removal permit if no development order is required. At the Director's discretion, a licensed professional engineer may instead certify by affidavit that the SWP3 has been prepared and will be available on site during construction.

26, use of best management practices for sediment and erosion control drawn from the Florida Stormwater Sedimentation Control Inspector's Manual or an equivalent guidance manual, preparation by a state-licensed professional engineer under DEP Document No. 62-621, and the plan must physically remain on site for review through every phase of construction and ongoing operations if required. Section 14-476(b)(3) additionally requires filing a Notice of Intent with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Tallahassee office and with County development services staff at least 48 hours before construction starts. Enforcement runs through the Natural Resources Division and Code Enforcement, coordinating with the South Florida Water Management District, EPA and FDEP under Section 14-479.