Fort Myers, FL Environmental Rules: Grading & Drainage (2026)

Fort Myers grading and drainage rules combine three documents: the Fort Myers Code of Ordinances Chapters 102 (Building Code, adopting the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code) and 118 (Land Use Regulations); the City of Fort Myers Standards Manual (Section 1 — Design Criteria), which sets the engineering criteria the City Engineer applies during plan review; and the South Florida Water Management District's Applicant's Handbook implementing FAC 62-330 for Environmental Resource Permitting. Drainage plans submitted with site permits must show existing and proposed runoff calculations, demonstrate that historic rate and pattern of runoff to adjacent property is not increased, size on-site conveyance to safely pass the design storm event, and provide adequate water-quality treatment to meet SFWMD criteria (typically 1 inch of runoff or the first 0.5 inch of runoff from the developed site, whichever produces a greater volume). Lot grading must establish positive drainage away from foundations (typically a minimum 5% slope for the first 10 feet) and respect any existing drainage easements. After a permit is issued, the first inspection is a mandatory 702 pre-construction meeting with the Engineering Division — schedule by calling (239) 321-7445 or emailing pweng@fortmyers.gov. Sites of one acre or more disturbance (or part of a larger common plan) must also file a Notice of Intent (NOI) with FDEP for the statewide Generic Construction Permit and maintain a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) on site; perimeter BMPs (silt fence, vehicle tracking control pads, inlet protection, concrete washout containment, stabilization of stockpiles) must be installed before ground disturbance. Caloosahatchee River frontage and tidal canal lots have additional grading constraints driven by Chapter 110 floodplain requirements (BFE + 1' lowest floor) and SFWMD ERP secondary-impact analysis. The Caloosahatchee is on the FDEP impaired waters list for nutrients, so any project draining to the river is subject to the Caloosahatchee River Watershed TMDL allocation managed by SFWMD.