Florida
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
State-DelegatedVerified 2025-01
Construction Permit
- Permit Name
- Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities
- Threshold
- ≥ 1 acre of land disturbance (or < 1 acre if part of a larger common plan)
- NOI Lead Time
- NOI must be submitted at least 2 business days before construction begins
- Application Method
- Online via FDEP's ePermitting system (www.fldepportal.com)
- Fee
- $400 for projects < 5 acres; $600 for ≥ 5 acres; additional fees may apply for ERP
SWPPP Requirements
- SWPPP Required
- Yes
- PE Cert Required
- No
- Template Available
- Yes
Florida also requires a separate Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) through the Water Management District for many construction projects, which has its own stormwater requirements that may overlap or exceed the Generic Permit.
Inspection Requirements
- Frequency
- At least every 7 days and within 24 hours of a storm event producing ≥ 0.5 inches of rainfall in a 24-hour period
- Inspector Qualification
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Inspector — no specific state certification required, but must be trained and knowledgeable in stormwater BMPs
Discharge Standards
- Turbidity Limit
- Discharges must not cause turbidity in receiving waters to exceed 29 NTU above background in Class III waters
Florida's water quality standards are set by rule and apply based on water body classification (Class I through Class V). Special protection applies to Outstanding Florida Waters (OFWs).
Post-Construction
- Required
- Yes
Post-construction stormwater management is primarily regulated through the Water Management Districts' Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) program. Florida has 5 water management districts with varying specific requirements.
Official Resources
State-Specific Notes
Florida is unique in having a dual-permit system: the FDEP Generic Permit (stormwater) AND the Water Management District ERP (stormwater and flooding/floodplain). Both may apply to the same project. Projects in wetlands face additional scrutiny.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulatory requirements. Always consult the FDEP website and applicable regulations before beginning any construction activity.