Flood-Prone and Coastal Property Drainage in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Who This Service Is For

Flood-prone and coastal property drainage services in Broward County are essential for property owners, homeowners, commercial property managers, and anyone with properties in flood zones or coastal areas that require specialized drainage solutions throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Weston, Plantation, and other communities.

Whether you're dealing with flooding from storm surge in Fort Lauderdale Beach, high water tables in Hollywood, or coastal conditions in Pompano Beach, specialized drainage systems can protect your property. We coordinate contractors with expertise in Broward County drainage requirements, Development & Environmental Review (DER), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, FEMA flood zone compliance, Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements, storm event protection, and storm surge protection to design and install drainage systems that account for flood zones, coastal conditions, and regulatory requirements.

Broward County Flood Zone and Coastal Considerations

Flood-prone and coastal property drainage in Broward County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• FEMA Flood Zone Classifications: Broward County properties are classified by FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zone AE (Moderate to High Flooding Risk) corresponds to areas with flood depths greater than three feet, with a 26% chance of flooding over a 30-year mortgage. Zone VE (High Flooding Risk) applies to coastal areas with additional hazards from storm waves and velocity wave action, with at least a one-in-four chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage. Zone AH (Moderate to High Flooding Risk) designates areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, typically from ponding, with average depths ranging from one to three feet. Zone AO (Sheet Flow) represents areas with a 1% or greater chance of shallow flooding, usually sheet flow, with average depths of one to three feet. Zone A includes areas where detailed flood analysis has not been performed. Zone X designates properties outside the floodplain or with average flood depths less than one foot.
• Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Requirements: Base Flood Elevation (BFE) data is derived from detailed analyses for zones where such information is available, particularly in AE and AO zones where BFE or average flood depths are shown at selected intervals. Properties in flood zones must have structures and drainage features elevated above BFE to comply with FEMA requirements and Broward County building codes, with storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures). Compliance may reduce flood insurance costs and protect properties from flood damage.
• Coastal High Hazard Areas (V Zones): Areas within Broward County along the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and other coastal zones are classified as Coastal High Hazard Areas (V Zones), which require that all buildings be elevated on piles or columns. Special floodplain management requirements apply in these zones to mitigate storm surge and wave action risks. Drainage systems must be designed to function in these challenging environments.
• Development Permits: Projects involving development work as described in Florida Statute 380.04 require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit. This is a critical prerequisite for flood-prone and coastal property drainage projects in Broward County.
• Development & Environmental Review (DER): Flood-prone and coastal property drainage projects typically require Development & Environmental Review through ePermits OneStop for applicable building permits. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. Broward County's Planning and Development Management Division ensures that proposed developments comply with the Broward County Land Development Code and Natural Resource Protection Code.
• Natural Resource Protection Code: Broward County's Natural Resource Protection Code (Chapter 27) regulates environmental activities and enforces requirements for development in environmentally sensitive areas, including wetlands and stormwater management systems. Coastal drainage projects must comply with these requirements.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Coastal drainage projects may require SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance and stormwater management, especially for systems connecting to surface waters. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
• Storm Surge and Wave Action: Coastal properties face storm surge during hurricanes and tropical storms, with V Zones requiring special protection. Drainage systems must be designed to function during surge events and protect properties from saltwater intrusion, with mitigation measures including floodproofing critical facilities and commercial buildings, as well as elevating homes in high-risk areas.
• High Water Tables: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects coastal drainage design and may require deeper excavation or dewatering systems (SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits). Water table conditions determine drainage feature depths and may affect system function, especially in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale Beach, Hollywood Beach, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach.
• Saltwater Intrusion: Coastal drainage systems must resist saltwater corrosion and intrusion, especially important in areas along the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway. Materials and designs must account for saltwater exposure and maintain function in coastal environments, with corrosion-resistant materials required.
• Storm Event Protection Requirements: Broward County requires that first floor elevations of all structures within drainage districts must protect structures from a 100-year, 3-day storm event, while roadway and parking lot elevations must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. Coastal drainage systems must be designed to meet these requirements and integrate with Broward County's three-tier infrastructure framework.
• Climate Resilience and Sea Level Rise: Broward County has implemented a 50-year planning horizon for sea level rise, with projections of approximately 2 feet of sea level rise. Coastal drainage design must account for climate resilience and sea level rise considerations, ensuring long-term functionality and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Coastal Drainage Installation Process in Broward County

Our coordinated approach ensures your flood-prone or coastal property drainage system is designed and installed properly and meets all Broward County regulatory requirements:

1. Flood Zone Assessment: We assess your property's flood zone designation, Base Flood Elevation (BFE), and drainage requirements specific to Broward County conditions. Assessment identifies flood risks and determines system design requirements, with consideration of storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures) and climate resilience and sea level rise considerations (50-year planning horizon, ~2 feet projection).
2. System Design: We coordinate with engineers to design drainage systems that account for flood zones, coastal conditions, storm event protection requirements (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures; 10-year, 3-day storm event for roadways and parking lots), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and regulatory requirements. Design includes elevated structures, flood-resistant materials, storm surge protection, and Base Flood Elevation (BFE) compliance, with special considerations for Coastal High Hazard Areas (V Zones) and integration with Broward County's three-tier infrastructure framework.
3. Development Permit Coordination: We help identify required development permits as described in Florida Statute 380.04, which must be obtained prior to the issuance of building permits for flood-prone and coastal property drainage projects in Broward County.
4. Broward County Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including Uniform Building Permit Applications (updated November 14, 2025), Development & Environmental Review (DER) through ePermits OneStop, FEMA compliance and elevation certificates, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for coastal drainage projects, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. Permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. Permits ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
5. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have expertise in coastal drainage installation, FEMA compliance, and Broward County requirements, including experience with high water table conditions, storm surge protection, Base Flood Elevation (BFE) compliance, and storm event protection.
6. Installation: Contractors install drainage systems including elevated structures, flood-resistant materials, and storm surge protection, meeting Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements, storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures), and Broward County building codes. Installation ensures systems function during flood events and protect properties, with special attention to Coastal High Hazard Areas (V Zones) and integration with Broward County's three-tier infrastructure framework.
7. FEMA Compliance Verification: We coordinate elevation certificates and FEMA compliance verification to ensure properties meet flood zone requirements, with mandatory flood insurance requirements in flood zones. Compliance may reduce flood insurance costs and protect properties from flood damage, with storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures) compliance.
8. Final Inspection: We coordinate final inspections with SFWMD, FEMA, Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments, and drainage districts where applicable to ensure drainage systems meet specifications and regulatory requirements including Base Flood Elevation (BFE) compliance, storm event protection, and Natural Resource Protection Code standards. Systems are ready for operation after final approval.

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