Safety Harbor regulates stormwater discharge under its Land Development Code Article X development standards and Pinellas County and SWFWMD permitting. New development and significant redevelopment must control runoff rate, volume, and water quality.
Under Article X of Safety Harbor's Land Development Code, projects that disturb land must include stormwater management facilities sized to comply with Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Environmental Resource Permit standards. Required design typically retains the first inch of runoff or one-half inch over impervious area, whichever is greater, and limits post-development discharge to pre-development rates. Treatment systems include dry retention, wet detention, swales, and pervious pavement. Plans must be reviewed by city engineering staff and, for larger projects, permitted by SWFWMD. Maintenance of private stormwater facilities is the property owner's responsibility, and discharges that contribute pollutants to Tampa Bay are prohibited.
Violations may trigger stop-work orders, code enforcement fines, and remediation costs charged to the property owner. NPDES violations carry separate state penalties.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle stormwater management.
See how Safety Harbor's stormwater management rules stack up against other locations.
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