Site Regrading for Drainage in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Who This Service Is For

Site regrading for drainage in Broward County is essential for property owners, homeowners, commercial property managers, and anyone experiencing standing water, flooding, or water damage due to poor site grading throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Weston, Plantation, and other communities.

Whether you're dealing with standing water after rain in Fort Lauderdale, water pooling around your foundation in Hollywood, or flooding in low-lying areas in Plantation, site regrading can redirect water flow and eliminate drainage problems. We coordinate contractors with expertise in Broward County drainage requirements, Development & Environmental Review (DER), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, storm event protection requirements, and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits to implement effective regrading solutions that meet county requirements.

Broward County Drainage Regrading Considerations

Site regrading for drainage in Broward County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• 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 site regrading projects in Broward County.
• Development & Environmental Review (DER): Site regrading that involves drainage modifications typically requires 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.
• 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. Site regrading must be coordinated with drainage systems sized for these design storms, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates to ensure adequate flood protection and water quality treatment.
• 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. Site regrading projects must comply with these requirements.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Site regrading projects may require SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance and stormwater management, especially for projects near wetlands or surface waters. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. We coordinate all required SFWMD permits.
• High Water Table: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects regrading operations and requires proper compaction to prevent settlement. Regrading must account for high water table conditions, especially in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods where the water table is particularly high.
• Flood Zone Compliance: Properties in flood zones must have regrading that complies with FEMA requirements and Broward County building codes, including proper elevation of structures and drainage features to meet Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements and storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures). Regrading in flood zones may require significant fill material to achieve proper elevations.
• 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. Site regrading design must account for climate resilience and sea level rise considerations, ensuring long-term functionality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Drainage District Requirements: For projects in areas governed by drainage districts (Central Broward Water Control District for areas east of Volunteer Road or South Broward Drainage District for areas west), Paving & Drainage (P&D) Permits are required. Site regrading must comply with drainage district requirements and storm event protection standards.

The Site Regrading Process in Broward County

Our coordinated approach ensures your drainage problems are effectively addressed and meet all Broward County regulatory requirements:

1. Site Assessment: We evaluate your site to identify drainage problems, water flow patterns, and low-lying areas specific to Broward County conditions including flood zone analysis, high water table assessment, and storm event protection requirements (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures; 10-year, 3-day storm event for roadways and parking lots). Assessment includes reviewing site conditions during and after rain events to understand water accumulation patterns.
2. Drainage Design: We develop a regrading plan that addresses specific drainage problems and creates proper water flow, meeting storm event protection requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance. The plan identifies areas that need elevation changes and determines the best approach for redirecting water flow, integrating 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 site regrading 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, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance and stormwater management where applicable, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, drainage district approvals (CBWCD or SBDD) where applicable, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. Permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. Regrading projects may require permits, especially if significant earthwork is involved or if work is in flood zones.
5. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment and experience for regrading work in Broward County, including expertise with high water table conditions, flood zone requirements, storm event protection, and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance. Contractors assess drainage problems and implement effective regrading solutions.
6. Regrading Execution: Contractors perform earthmoving to adjust site elevations and create proper slopes, meeting Broward County storm event protection requirements. This may involve adding fill material to low areas or removing material to create drainage channels, with elevations that must protect structures from a 100-year, 3-day storm event and roadways from a 10-year, 3-day storm event.
7. Drainage System Integration: Regrading is coordinated with drainage system installation or upgrades if needed, ensuring systems meet storm event protection requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance. This ensures water flows to drainage points effectively and eliminates standing water, integrating with Broward County's three-tier infrastructure framework.
8. Final Inspection: We coordinate final inspections with SFWMD, Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments, and drainage districts where applicable to ensure regrading effectively addresses drainage problems and that water flows properly away from structures and toward drainage systems, meeting storm event protection and Natural Resource Protection Code standards. Systems are ready for operation after final approval.

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