Swales and Drainage Features in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Who This Service Is For

Swales and drainage feature services in Broward County are essential for developers, general contractors, property owners, and anyone needing to direct stormwater runoff away from structures and toward stormwater management systems throughout Broward County, including Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Weston, Plantation, and other communities.

Whether you're developing a new property in Plantation, fixing existing drainage problems in Fort Lauderdale, or installing stormwater management systems in Weston, swales and drainage features effectively direct water flow. We coordinate licensed contractors with the equipment and expertise to excavate drainage features that meet Broward County engineering specifications, Natural Resource Protection Code requirements, and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit standards, with emphasis on storm event protection and environmental compliance.

Broward County Drainage Feature Considerations

Swales and drainage feature excavation 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 drainage feature excavation projects in Broward County.
• Development & Environmental Review (DER): Drainage feature 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.
• 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. Drainage features must be sized to handle these design storms, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates.
• 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. Drainage feature projects must comply with these requirements.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Drainage features may require SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for land disturbance and stormwater management, especially for features 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 and Dewatering: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects drainage feature design and may require deeper excavation or dewatering. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. The applicant must have all applicable SFWMD permits before proceeding with dewatering operations. Water table conditions determine feature depths and may affect drainage function, especially in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods.
• 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. Drainage features must comply with drainage district requirements and storm event protection standards.
• 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. Drainage feature design must account for climate resilience and sea level rise considerations, ensuring long-term functionality and compliance with regulatory requirements.

The Drainage Feature Excavation Process in Broward County

Our coordinated approach ensures your swales and drainage features are excavated properly and meet all Broward County specifications and regulatory requirements:

1. Engineering Design Review: We review engineering designs to understand drainage feature dimensions, depths, and slopes specific to Broward County's storm event protection requirements (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures; 10-year, 3-day storm event for roadways and parking lots) and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance. Design review ensures excavation meets exact requirements for stormwater management and regulatory compliance.
2. 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 drainage feature excavation projects in Broward County.
3. 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, 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.
4. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (excavators, bulldozers, compactors, dewatering systems) and experience for drainage feature excavation in Broward County, including expertise with high water table conditions, coastal soils, storm event protection, and regulatory compliance.
5. Dewatering Setup: For drainage features requiring dewatering, contractors set up dewatering systems in compliance with SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements for activities affecting state waters, ensuring proper water quality management and discharge compliance. The applicant must have all applicable SFWMD permits before proceeding with dewatering operations. This is especially important given Broward County's high water table.
6. Feature Excavation: Contractors perform excavation to exact depths and dimensions, creating proper drainage channels designed for storm event protection. Excavation establishes feature shape and prepares areas for erosion control installation, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
7. Slope Construction: Drainage features are graded to proper slopes (typically 1-2% minimum) to ensure effective water flow and stormwater management, meeting Broward County requirements. Slope construction meets engineering specifications and ensures proper drainage function, especially important for permeable swales designed for infiltration.
8. Outfall Construction: Outfalls are constructed where drainage features discharge to stormwater systems or natural water bodies, meeting Broward County and Natural Resource Protection Code requirements. Outfall structures ensure proper water discharge and prevent erosion, with compliance to SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements.
9. Erosion Control and Final Inspection: Erosion control measures are installed meeting Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code requirements, and final inspections ensure drainage features meet regulatory requirements including storm event protection and Natural Resource Protection Code standards. Features are ready for operation after final approval, with proper maintenance access for ongoing compliance.

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