Parking Lot and Driveway Grading in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Professional grading for parking lots, driveways, and access roads across Broward County
Free Fast Quote
Please fill out this form to request a free quote on your upcoming project and we will respond to you right away!
Who This Service Is For
Parking lot and driveway grading services in Broward County are essential for commercial property owners, retail developers, general contractors, custom home builders, and anyone preparing surfaces for paving or asphalt installation throughout Broward County, including Weston, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and other growing communities.
Whether you're developing a retail center in Fort Lauderdale, building a custom home driveway in Weston, or upgrading an existing parking lot in Plantation, proper grading ensures water drains correctly, meets ADA accessibility requirements, and provides safe vehicle access. We coordinate licensed contractors with the right equipment and expertise for your specific Broward County project needs, including compliance with Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER), and 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements.
Typical Project Sizes in Broward County
Parking lot and driveway grading projects in Broward County typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 for residential driveways, and $30,000 to $150,000+ for commercial parking lots depending on size, drainage requirements, ADA compliance needs, flood zone requirements, and site conditions. Projects in flood zones or requiring significant elevation adjustments often cost more. Projects involving development work as described in Florida Statute 380.04 require a development permit prior to the issuance of a building permit.
What Parking Lot and Driveway Grading Includes in Broward County
Drainage Slope Grading
Grading to achieve proper slopes (typically 1-2% minimum) to direct water away from structures and toward drainage inlets or swales throughout Broward County. Proper drainage prevents water accumulation and extends pavement life, essential given Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography. Minimum parking lot elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event.
ADA Compliance Grading
Grading for accessible parking spaces, access aisles, and pathways to meet ADA slope requirements (maximum 2% cross-slope, 5% maximum running slope) and Florida Building Code Chapter 11 accessibility standards throughout Broward County. Ensures compliance with Broward County accessibility requirements.
Crown and Cross-Slope Grading
Creating proper crown (center high point) and cross-slopes for parking lots and driveways to ensure water flows to drainage points throughout Broward County. Crown grading prevents water from pooling in the center of paved areas, critical for Broward County's frequent heavy rainfall. Minimum parking lot elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event, whether using inverted crown or standard crown design.
Base Course Preparation
Grading and compaction of base course material to proper elevations and density for asphalt or concrete paving throughout Broward County. Base course must be properly graded to support pavement loads, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
Transition Grading
Smooth transitions between different elevations, such as from parking lot to building entrance, driveway to street, or between parking sections throughout Broward County. Ensures smooth vehicle access and proper drainage flow, meeting Broward County building code requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Drainage Inlet Preparation
Grading around stormwater inlets and catch basins to ensure proper water flow into drainage systems throughout Broward County. Inlets must be at the low points of graded areas to effectively collect runoff, meeting SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Broward County Parking Lot and Driveway Considerations
Grading for parking lots and driveways in Broward County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:
- Storm Event Protection: Broward County requires minimum roadway crown elevation and parking lot elevation to be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event, whether using inverted crown or standard crown design. These criteria represent minimum standards and may be increased by the Engineer of Record as applicable.
- Development & Environmental Review (DER): Parking lot and driveway grading 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.
- 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 parking lot and driveway grading projects in Broward County.
- 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 flood zones and stormwater management systems. Parking lot and driveway grading must comply with these requirements.
- SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Parking lots must be graded to direct water to stormwater inlets or retention areas to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards. As of June 28, 2024, new water quality performance standards were implemented. Proper grading prevents flooding and reduces stormwater runoff.
- ADA Compliance: Commercial parking lots must include accessible parking spaces graded to ADA standards (maximum 2% cross-slope). Access aisles and pathways must meet slope requirements for wheelchair accessibility, following Florida Building Code Chapter 11. Accessible routes require a 36-inch minimum clear width with gentle slopes.
- High Water Table: Broward County's high water table affects grading depth and may require additional base course material or elevation adjustments. Proper drainage is critical to prevent water from undermining pavement, especially in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters.
- Flood Zone Requirements: Properties in flood zones may require parking lots and driveways to be graded to specific elevations above base flood elevation. This affects grading depth and may require additional fill material, particularly in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach.
- Permit Validity: Broward County permits are valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. If work doesn't begin within this period, the permit will expire, though extensions can be requested by contacting the Broward County permit department.
Broward County Parking Lot and Driveway Grading Neighborhoods
We coordinate parking lot and driveway grading services throughout Broward County, including:
Commercial Districts
- Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Boulevard
- Downtown Fort Lauderdale
- Weston
- Plantation
Retail and Shopping Areas
- Pembroke Pines
- Coral Springs
- Davie
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
Residential Areas
- Victoria Park
- Coral Ridge
- Harbor Beach
- Rio Vista
- Parkland
Coastal Areas
- Hollywood
- Pompano Beach
- Deerfield Beach
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Miramar
The Parking Lot and Driveway Grading Process in Broward County
Our coordinated approach ensures your parking lot or driveway meets all specifications and regulatory requirements in Broward County:
- Site Assessment: We review your site plans, drainage design, and paving specifications to understand grading requirements. This includes identifying drainage points, ADA requirements, flood zone considerations, and any site constraints specific to Broward County conditions, including 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements.
- 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 parking lot and driveway grading projects in Broward County.
- Broward County DER Coordination: We help identify required Development & Environmental Review (DER) through ePermits OneStop and coordinate with Broward County Planning and Development Management Division to ensure proposed parking lot and driveway grading projects comply with the Broward County Land Development Code and Natural Resource Protection Code. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically.
- Broward County Permit Coordination: We help identify required grading permits including Uniform Building Permit Applications (updated November 14, 2025), DER through ePermits OneStop, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for activities affecting state waters and wetlands, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. We coordinate with Broward County Building Code Division, SFWMD, and other regulatory agencies as needed.
- Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (graders, compactors, laser-guided systems) and experience for precise parking lot and driveway grading in Broward County, including expertise with high water table conditions, ADA compliance, and 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements.
- Rough Grading: Contractors perform initial earthmoving to achieve approximate elevations and slopes. This establishes the general grade and prepares the area for fine grading, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
- Fine Grading: Precise grading work using laser-guided equipment to achieve exact elevations and slopes specified in engineering drawings. Fine grading creates proper crown, cross-slopes, and drainage flow, ensuring ADA compliance for accessible parking spaces and 10-year, 3-day storm event protection for parking lots.
- Base Course Installation: Installation and grading of base course material to proper elevations and compaction for paving support. Base course must be properly graded to support pavement loads, meeting Broward County requirements for base material specifications.
- Final Inspection: We coordinate final grading inspections with Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments and paving contractors to ensure the graded surface meets all specifications, ADA requirements, 10-year, 3-day storm event protection, and is ready for paving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What slope is required for parking lot drainage in Broward County?
Parking lots in Broward County typically require a minimum slope of 1-2% (1-2 feet of fall per 100 feet) to ensure proper drainage. Cross-slopes should be 1-2% to direct water to drainage inlets. Crown grading creates a center high point with water flowing to the sides. Minimum parking lot elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event, whether using inverted crown or standard crown design. Proper slopes prevent water from pooling and extend pavement life, essential given Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography.
Do parking lots need to be ADA compliant in Broward County?
Yes, commercial parking lots in Broward County must include accessible parking spaces graded to ADA standards. Accessible spaces must have a maximum 2% cross-slope, and access aisles must meet slope requirements for wheelchair accessibility, following Florida Building Code Chapter 11. Accessible routes require a 36-inch minimum clear width. We ensure all grading meets ADA compliance requirements.
What permits are required for driveway grading in Broward County?
Driveway grading in Broward County requires development permits (Florida Statute 380.04) obtained prior to building permit issuance, Uniform Building Permit Applications from Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER) through ePermits OneStop for applicable projects, SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits for activities affecting state waters and wetlands, and Natural Resource Protection Code compliance. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. We help identify and coordinate all required permits.
How much does driveway grading cost in Broward County?
Driveway grading costs in Broward County vary based on length, width, site conditions, flood zone requirements, and drainage requirements. Typical residential driveways range from $15,000 to $50,000, while commercial driveways can range from $30,000 to $100,000+ depending on scope. Factors affecting cost include site access, required earthwork, flood zone elevation requirements, and drainage complexity. Projects in flood zones or requiring significant elevation adjustments often cost more. Broward County permit processing, including DER review through ePermits OneStop, can add time and costs.
What are the storm event protection requirements for parking lots in Broward County?
Broward County requires minimum roadway crown elevation and parking lot elevation to be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event, whether using inverted crown or standard crown design. These criteria represent minimum standards and may be increased by the Engineer of Record as applicable. Our contractors ensure all grading meets these requirements for proper storm event protection.