Tarpon Springs requires City Engineer approval of construction drawings before any clearing, grading, drainage, or site preparation begins. Drainage must comply with stormwater management standards and SWFWMD permitting requirements.
Under Appendix A, Article IX of the Tarpon Springs Land Development Code, no clearing, grading, drainage, or other site preparation may commence (except limited brush removal for surveying) until construction drawings have been approved by the City Engineer and all required City, State, and County permits are obtained. Drainage design must demonstrate that post-development discharge does not exceed pre-development conditions and must comply with SWFWMD Environmental Resource Permit standards. Chapter 6 (Buildings) and Chapter 20 (Stormwater) provide additional permit and inspection requirements. Grading near wetlands or waterways may require additional state and federal review.
Starting grading without approval triggers stop-work orders, code enforcement fines, and required restoration of altered drainage patterns.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle grading & drainage.
See how Tarpon Springs's grading & drainage rules stack up against other locations.
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