Seminole County, FL Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger threshold
- Disturbance over 1 acre
- Plan required
- NPDES pollution prevention plan
- State permit source
- FDEP or SJRWMD
- Notice required
- Before discharge, to County Manager
- Below-threshold sites
- Still liable if MS4 impaired
Summary
Seminole County requires any construction disturbing more than one acre to control stormwater on site under a permitted pollution prevention plan before it reaches the County's storm sewer. Erosion, sediment and pollution controls must stay properly built, maintained and operated throughout the project.
Stormwater Discharges from Significant Construction Activities involving land disturbance of more than one (1) acre must be treated or managed on site in accordance with appropriate federal, state or local permits and regulations, prior to Discharge to the County's MS4 or to Waters of the United States. Erosion, sediment and pollution controls for the construction site must be properly implemented, maintained and operated according to a pollution prevention plan required by an NPDES permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Construction Activities, and according to a state permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or St. Johns River Water Management District.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 399(b) sets the acreage trigger: stormwater discharges from significant construction activities involving land disturbance of more than one acre must be treated or managed on site under applicable federal, state or local permits before discharging to the County's MS4 or to Waters of the United States. Erosion, sediment and pollution controls at the site must be implemented, maintained and operated according to a pollution prevention plan required by an NPDES construction stormwater permit, and according to a state permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection or the St.
Johns River Water Management District. Sec. 399(c) makes clear the acreage size does not create a loophole: any construction activity, regardless of disturbance acreage, is treated as an illicit connection or illicit discharge if it impairs the County's MS4 or contributes to a permit violation, including NPDES Permit No. FLS000038. Sec. 399(d) requires industrial and construction site owners discharging stormwater to the County's MS4 to give the County Manager written notice of the connection or discharge before it happens. Sec. 399(a) folds in any separate Industrial or Construction Activity NPDES permit the site already holds, and the County can require proof of compliance with that permit before allowing the discharge to proceed.
Violations & Fines
Failure to control erosion and sediment on a site over one acre, or discharging without the required notice, is enforced the same way as other Part 9 stormwater violations: Sec. 270.405 makes it a Class V civil penalty under Chapter 53 of the County Code, with a possible criminal penalty of up to 60 days imprisonment or a $500 fine under Section 125.69, Florida Statutes. The responsible party is also liable for the County's sampling, monitoring, and remediation costs under Sec. 270.405(d).
Frequently Asked Questions
At what project size does Seminole County require erosion control on a construction site?
Do I need to notify the County before my construction site discharges stormwater?
Can a small construction site under one acre still be cited for stormwater problems?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seminole County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.