Palm Beach County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Palm Beach County only
- Core standard
- Keep runoff on the building site
- Berms required
- Along lot lines to protect neighbors
- Enforced by
- County Floodplain Administrator
- Citation
- ULDC Art. 18.D.5.A.1
Summary
In unincorporated Palm Beach County, new construction must be graded to keep stormwater on the building site until it reaches the roadway or public drainage system, with the Floodplain Administrator empowered to demand grading plans.
On all new, permitted construction, regardless of Flood zone designation, grading shall keep all rainfall and runoff flow on the Building site, until discharged into the roadway drainage system or to public drainage ways adjacent to the property lines. Berms shall be constructed along lot lines, if necessary, to prevent stormwater flow directly onto adjacent properties. Erosion sedimentation off the Building site shall be controlled until vegetative cover is established. The Floodplain Administrator may require grading plans showing pre-construction and proposed finish earth grades.
Full Breakdown
The county's Unified Land Development Code requires every new permitted construction site in unincorporated Palm Beach County to grade so rainfall and runoff stay on the building site until they reach the roadway drainage system or an adjacent public drainage way, regardless of flood zone. Property owners must build berms along lot lines where needed to keep stormwater off neighboring lots, and control erosion until vegetative cover takes hold. The Floodplain Administrator can require a grading plan showing both pre-construction and finished earth grades before signing off on a building permit. This applies countywide outside the county's 39 municipalities, which set their own grading standards.
Violations & Fines
Building without an approved grading plan, or grading that dumps stormwater onto a neighbor's lot instead of a public drainage way, lets the Floodplain Administrator deny, suspend, or revoke the permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply inside West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Can I direct stormwater onto my neighbor's yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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