Differences in Drainage Code Enforcement by County

Florida’s development landscape is unique — not just because of its climate and geology, but because drainage regulations vary significantly from county to county. Each jurisdiction enforces its own stormwater management standards, review processes, and design requirements.

For developers, contractors, and civil engineering companies, understanding these local differences is key to getting projects approved efficiently and avoiding redesigns or violations.

Why Drainage Code Enforcement Varies

While the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the state’s Water Management Districts (WMDs) set overarching stormwater guidelines, local governments enforce them differently.

Factors influencing variation include:

• Local topography and soil conditions.

• Flood history and drainage infrastructure age.

• County-specific ordinances and enforcement priorities.

This decentralized structure means a stormwater system approved in Broward County might need modifications to pass review in Miami-Dade or Palm Beach County.

For an overview of how local agencies influence design, read: How Local Drainage Districts Affect Site Development

Examples of County Drainage Code Differences

County	Drainage Enforcement Authority	Key Requirements
Miami-Dade County	Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER)	Requires 5-year, 25-year, and 100-year storm event analysis; coordination with Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department for outfall connections.
Broward County	Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department	Mandates on-site retention and strict water quality design standards; focuses on flood mitigation in coastal zones.
Palm Beach County	Environmental Resources Management (ERM)	Requires post-development runoff rates not to exceed pre-development; detailed water table elevation studies required.
Orange County	Public Works – Stormwater Division	Emphasizes best management practices (BMPs) for stormwater treatment; strict maintenance inspection schedules.

Working With County Reviewers

Because drainage enforcement happens at the county level, coordination is critical. Developers should engage with local reviewers early to clarify:

• Required storm event criteria (e.g., 25-year vs. 100-year).

• Accepted stormwater modeling software (e.g., ICPR, HydroCAD).

• Whether off-site discharge or retention is allowed.

A drainage engineer or planning engineer with county experience can anticipate local requirements and prepare documentation to avoid resubmittals.

For insight into how engineers coordinate with local reviewers, see: The Role of County Engineers in Florida Land Development

Common Enforcement Issues

Counties often cite developers for:

• Inadequate stormwater capacity or retention volume.

• Improper maintenance of drainage easements.

• Non-compliance with county flood protection criteria.

• Missing as-built certifications for final approval.

In Miami-Dade, enforcement officers from RER may inspect post-construction systems to verify functionality and compliance with approved drainage plans.

To learn how to address overlapping requirements, see: Typical Permit Review Timeline in Miami-Dade.

Conclusion

Drainage code enforcement in Florida is not uniform — it’s highly localized. Each county enforces unique standards that shape how site grading, retention ponds, and stormwater systems are designed and maintained.

By partnering with an experienced engineering consulting firm familiar with regional codes, developers can ensure full compliance and smoother permit approvals.

FAQs

• Do all Florida counties follow the same stormwater rules?

  No. Each county interprets and enforces stormwater and drainage requirements differently, even when based on the same state framework.

• Who enforces drainage compliance in Florida?

  Local county governments — typically through Public Works, Environmental, or Regulatory departments — handle enforcement.

• Can drainage violations delay my permit approval?

  Yes. Non-compliance with local drainage standards is one of the top reasons for delayed site plan approvals.

• What’s the best way to stay compliant?

  Hire a civil engineer with experience designing stormwater systems that meet the county’s exact modeling and submittal criteria.

Partnering With County Experts for Drainage Compliance

At RSP Engineers, we navigate the complexities of county drainage enforcement across Florida — from Miami-Dade to Palm Beach and Orange County. Our stormwater designs meet every jurisdiction’s standards the first time, ensuring faster approvals and long-term system performance.