How to Prepare for a County Pre-Application Meeting
What to Bring, What to Expect, and How a Civil Engineer Can Help
If you're planning a new development, subdivision, or even a single-family build in Florida, chances are your local county will require a pre-application meeting before you submit for permitting. These meetings are your opportunity to clarify requirements, uncover red flags, and set your project up for faster approval.
But how do you make the most of that meeting?
At RSP Engineers, we’ve guided clients through pre-application meetings in counties across the state. Here's what you need to know to come prepared—and what role a civil engineer plays in your success.
What Is a Pre-Application Meeting?
A pre-application meeting is an early-stage consultation between your project team and the county's planning, zoning, and engineering departments. It's designed to:
Review your proposed use and layout
Identify permitting requirements and approvals needed
Flag potential zoning or utility conflicts
Clarify the review process and timeline
Provide feedback before formal submittal
Some counties make this meeting optional, while others—like Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Orange County—require it for most development projects.
Why This Meeting Matters
Attending a pre-application meeting (and being prepared for it) can:
Save weeks of back-and-forth during the permitting process
Prevent costly redesigns later
Help you understand code-specific design requirements
Allow you to ask project-specific questions early
Clarify what documentation is required for submittal
It’s your chance to get guidance directly from decision-makers—before your formal application is under review.
What to Bring to Your Pre-Application Meeting
Every jurisdiction is a little different, but in general, you'll want to bring:
1. A Conceptual Site Plan
Even if it’s preliminary, your site plan should show:
Building footprints
Access points
Parking and driveways
Drainage or utility layout (if known)
Zoning data table (lot size, coverage, setbacks)
2. A Project Narrative
Include a brief write-up that explains:
The proposed use (residential, commercial, etc.)
Key design features
Phases (if applicable)
Existing conditions on-site
Any known challenges
3. Property Survey or Parcel Data
Include current survey documents or GIS parcel maps to help reviewers understand the property layout and constraints.
4. Questions or Variance Requests
Prepare specific questions about any anticipated zoning issues, variances, or exceptions you may need.
What a Civil Engineer Does in This Meeting
At RSP Engineers, we attend pre-app meetings on behalf of or alongside our clients to:
Represent the project from an engineering and permitting perspective
Answer technical questions about grading, drainage, ADA, utilities, etc.
Ensure site plans are aligned with local design codes
Take detailed notes on county feedback
Coordinate next steps to move the project forward
Having your civil engineer present shows the county that your project is being professionally managed and thoughtfully designed.
Common Issues We Help Address During Pre-App
Here are just a few examples of what gets resolved early—before they become costly surprises:
Required stormwater retention volume
ADA access routes and elevation constraints
Setback conflicts or encroachments
Off-site utility connection locations
Traffic circulation and driveway spacing
Flood zone implications
After the Meeting: Next Steps
Following the meeting, your civil engineer should:
Summarize all county feedback
Adjust the site plan or design accordingly
Coordinate with other consultants (architect, surveyor, etc.)
Prepare a full permitting package based on the clarified requirements
Be Prepared. Build Smart.
The pre-application meeting sets the tone for your entire permitting process. When done right, it gives you the clarity and confidence to move forward—without wasting time or money on guesswork.
At RSP Engineers, we help clients throughout Florida plan smarter, permit faster, and build with fewer surprises.
Need help preparing for your next county meeting?
Let’s connect.
