Regrading for Drainage Problems in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Site regrading to fix existing drainage issues, eliminate standing water, and redirect water flow away from structures across Broward County
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Who This Service Is For
Regrading for drainage problems 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 Pompano Beach, site regrading can redirect water flow and eliminate drainage problems. We coordinate licensed contractors with the expertise to assess drainage issues and implement effective regrading solutions, navigating Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and flood zone requirements.
Typical Project Sizes in Broward County
Regrading for drainage problems in Broward County typically ranges from $20,000 to $75,000 for residential properties, and $50,000 to $200,000+ for commercial properties depending on site size, extent of regrading required, flood zone considerations, and whether drainage systems need to be installed or upgraded. 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 Regrading for Drainage Includes in Broward County
Drainage Assessment
Evaluation of existing site conditions, water flow patterns, and drainage problems specific to Broward County conditions. Assessment identifies low-lying areas, water accumulation points, flood zone considerations, and determines the best regrading approach to redirect water flow, including storm event protection requirements.
Site Regrading
Earthmoving to adjust site elevations and create proper slopes that direct water away from structures and toward drainage points throughout Broward County. Regrading eliminates low spots where water accumulates and creates positive drainage flow, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
Slope Creation
Creating proper slopes (typically 1-2% minimum) to direct water flow away from structures and toward drainage systems throughout Broward County. Proper slopes prevent water from pooling and ensure effective drainage, essential given Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography, with compliance to SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements.
Low Spot Elimination
Filling or regrading low-lying areas where water accumulates throughout Broward County. Low spots are eliminated by adding fill material and creating proper drainage slopes to prevent standing water, especially important in flood zones where elevation requirements must be met, including Base Flood Elevation (BFE) compliance and storm event protection.
Drainage System Integration
Coordinating regrading with drainage system installation or upgrades to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards. Regrading ensures water flows to drainage inlets, swales, or retention areas effectively. May include installation of French drains, catch basins, or swales.
Final Grading and Compaction
Final grading to achieve proper elevations and slopes, with proper compaction to prevent settlement throughout Broward County. Final grading ensures regraded areas maintain proper drainage and don't settle over time, meeting Broward County building code requirements and accounting for unique soil characteristics including limestone bedrock and sandy soils.
Common Drainage Problems in Broward County
Broward County's unique conditions create specific drainage challenges that regrading can address:
- Standing Water After Rain: Low-lying areas that don't drain properly create standing water that can damage landscaping, attract mosquitoes, and create safety hazards. Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography make this especially common. Regrading creates proper slopes to eliminate standing water, with compliance to SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements.
- Water Pooling Around Foundations: Poor grading around structures allows water to pool near foundations, increasing the risk of water damage and foundation problems, especially in areas with high water tables like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods. Regrading directs water away from structures, ensuring proper drainage flow.
- Flood Zone Flooding: Properties in flood zones (AE, VE, AH, AO) can experience flooding during heavy rain, especially in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. Regrading elevates low areas and creates proper drainage flow, ensuring compliance with Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements and storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures; 10-year, 3-day storm event for roadways and parking lots).
- High Water Table Issues: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, can cause water to rise to the surface in low areas. Regrading elevates these areas and creates proper drainage to manage high water table conditions, especially important in coastal neighborhoods. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters.
- Inadequate Drainage Slopes: Existing sites may have insufficient slopes to direct water to drainage systems. Regrading creates proper slopes (1-2% minimum) to ensure effective water flow, meeting SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
- Stormwater Runoff Problems: Properties may not be graded to handle stormwater runoff effectively, especially during heavy South Florida rains and hurricane events. Regrading ensures proper water flow and may be combined with stormwater management systems to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Broward County Regrading for Drainage Neighborhoods
We coordinate regrading for drainage problems throughout Broward County, including:
Flood-Prone Coastal Areas
- Fort Lauderdale
- Hollywood
- Pompano Beach
- Deerfield Beach
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Residential Communities
- Victoria Park
- Coral Ridge
- Harbor Beach
- Rio Vista
- Parkland
Commercial Areas
- Las Olas Boulevard
- Weston
- Plantation
- Pembroke Pines
- Coral Springs
Suburban Areas
- Davie
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
- Miramar
- Cooper City
The Regrading Process in Broward County
Our coordinated approach ensures your drainage problems are effectively addressed in Broward County:
- Site Assessment: We evaluate your site to identify drainage problems, water flow patterns, and low-lying areas. Assessment includes reviewing site conditions during and after rain events to understand water accumulation patterns, flood zone designation, and Broward County specific conditions including high water table and storm event protection requirements.
- Drainage Design: We develop a regrading plan that addresses specific drainage problems and creates proper water flow. The plan identifies areas that need elevation changes, determines the best approach for redirecting water flow, and ensures compliance with Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements, storm event protection (100-year, 3-day storm event for structures; 10-year, 3-day storm event for roadways and parking lots), and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements for properties in flood zones.
- 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 regrading 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 regrading 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 permits for regrading work 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. Regrading projects may require permits, especially if significant earthwork is involved. 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 and experience for regrading work in Broward County. Contractors assess drainage problems and implement effective regrading solutions, including expertise with high water table conditions, flood zone requirements, and storm event protection requirements.
- Regrading Execution: Contractors perform earthmoving to adjust site elevations and create proper slopes. This may involve adding fill material to low areas or removing material to create drainage channels, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
- Drainage System Integration: Regrading is coordinated with drainage system installation or upgrades if needed to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards. This ensures water flows to drainage points effectively and eliminates standing water.
- Final Inspection: We coordinate final inspections with Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments to ensure regrading effectively addresses drainage problems and that water flows properly away from structures and toward drainage systems, meeting all permit conditions, engineering specifications, and storm event protection requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can regrading fix standing water problems in Broward County?
Yes, regrading is often an effective solution for standing water problems in Broward County. By adjusting site elevations and creating proper slopes, we can redirect water flow away from low-lying areas and eliminate standing water. Regrading is often combined with drainage system installation for comprehensive solutions, especially important given Broward County's heavy rainfall, high water table, and flat topography. All work must comply with SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
What permits are required for regrading in Broward County?
Regrading projects in Broward County may require 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, Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and FEMA compliance permits for properties in flood zones. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. We help identify and coordinate all required permits.
How does Broward County's high water table affect regrading?
Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, requires specialized regrading techniques. Low areas may need to be elevated above the water table, and proper drainage systems are essential to prevent water from rising to the surface. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. This is especially important in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach where the water table is particularly high.
How much does regrading for drainage cost in Broward County?
Regrading costs in Broward County vary based on site size, extent of regrading required, flood zone considerations, and whether drainage systems need to be installed. Typical residential properties range from $20,000 to $75,000, while commercial properties can range from $50,000 to $200,000+ depending on scope. Factors affecting cost include site access, required earthwork, flood zone elevation requirements, and drainage system 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.
Will regrading solve all drainage problems in Broward County?
Regrading can solve many drainage problems by creating proper slopes and redirecting water flow. However, some drainage problems in Broward County may also require drainage system installation (French drains, catch basins, swales) for comprehensive solutions, especially in flood zones or areas with high water tables. We assess your specific situation and recommend the best approach, which may include both regrading and drainage system work to meet SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.