Pembroke Pines, FL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)
FEMA flood zone rules in Pembroke Pines, FL, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Ch. 152, Floodplain Management Ordinance
- Enforcing official
- City Engineer as Floodplain Administrator
- Map basis
- Broward County FIS/FIRM adopted 7-31-2024
- Permit validity
- Void if work not started within 180 days
- Maximum penalty
- $500 fine or 10 days jail, per day
Summary
Pembroke Pines requires a floodplain development permit before any construction or land-disturbing work in a mapped flood hazard area. The City Engineer, serving as Floodplain Administrator, reviews applications against Broward County's Flood Insurance Study and FIRM maps. Building without the required permit is a misdemeanor punishable by fine and jail time under the city's Floodplain Management Ordinance.
Any owner or owner's authorized agent (hereinafter "applicant") who intends to undertake any development or construction activity within the scope of this chapter, including buildings, structures and facilities exempt from the Florida Building Code, which is wholly within or partially within any flood hazard area shall first make application to the Floodplain Administrator, and the Building Official if applicable, and shall obtain the required permit(s) and approval(s). No such permit or approval shall be issued until compliance with the requirements of this chapter and all other applicable codes and regulations has been satisfied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-61: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 2056, passed 12-11-25).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 152, the Floodplain Management Ordinance of the City of Pembroke Pines (Ord. 1775, passed 5-7-14), applies to all development wholly or partially within a flood hazard area, including subdivision of land, filling, grading, utility installation, building alteration, manufactured home placement, and swimming pool installation. Flood hazard areas are established using the Flood Insurance Study for Broward County dated July 31, 2024, and the accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, adopted by reference and kept on file with the City Engineer at 8300 South Palm Drive.
030, any owner or authorized agent who intends to undertake development within the scope of the chapter, including structures exempt from the Florida Building Code such as railroads, temporary construction sheds, and family mausoleums, must first apply to the Floodplain Administrator and the Building Official and obtain the required permit before starting work. 033 must identify the development, state the elevation of the proposed lowest floor relative to the FIRM datum, describe any watercourse alteration, state the valuation of the work, and be signed by the applicant.
A floodplain development permit becomes invalid if work is not commenced within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, though the Floodplain Administrator may grant written extensions of up to 180 days each for justifiable cause. The Floodplain Administrator can suspend or revoke a permit issued in error or based on incomplete information.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 152.070, any development performed without an issued permit, in conflict with an issued permit, or that does not fully comply with Chapter 152 is deemed a violation; a structure lacking documentation of lowest-floor elevation is presumed in violation until proof is provided. The Floodplain Administrator may serve notices of violation or stop work orders. Continuing work after such notice is a separate offense under Section 152.072. Section 152.073 makes violation of the chapter a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment of not more than ten days, or both, plus costs, with each day of continued violation treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build in a Pembroke Pines flood zone?
Who administers Pembroke Pines' flood hazard area rules?
What happens if I develop in a flood zone without a permit?
How does the city decide which areas count as flood hazard areas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pembroke Pines
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pembroke Pines to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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Flood Zones in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle flood zones.