Road and Access Drive Grading in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Professional grading for roads, access drives, and subdivision infrastructure across Broward County
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Who This Service Is For
Road and access drive grading services in Broward County are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, commercial property owners, and anyone preparing roadways for paving or infrastructure installation throughout Broward County, including Weston, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and other growing communities.
Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Weston, building access roads for a commercial development in Plantation, or upgrading existing roadways in Pembroke Pines, proper grading ensures water drains correctly, provides safe vehicle access, and meets engineering specifications. 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
Road and access drive grading projects in Broward County typically range from $30,000 to $100,000 for single access drives, and $100,000 to $500,000+ for subdivision road networks depending on length, width, drainage requirements, flood zone considerations, 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 Road and Access Drive Grading Includes in Broward County
Crown Grading
Creating proper crown (center high point) in roadways to direct water to the sides and into drainage systems throughout Broward County. Crown grading prevents water from pooling in the center of roads and ensures proper drainage flow, essential given Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography. Minimum roadway crown elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. Typical crown height is 2-4 inches above the edges.
Cross-Slope Grading
Establishing proper cross-slopes (typically 2-3%) across road width to direct water to roadside drainage throughout Broward County. Cross-slopes must be consistent along the entire road length for effective water management, meeting Broward County building code requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Longitudinal Slope Grading
Grading along the road length to achieve proper longitudinal slopes (typically 0.5-6% minimum) for drainage while maintaining safe vehicle access throughout Broward County. Slopes must balance drainage needs with vehicle safety requirements, meeting Broward County road construction standards and 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements.
Subgrade Preparation
Grading and compaction of subgrade material to proper elevations and density for base course and pavement installation throughout Broward County. Subgrade must be properly graded to support road loads and prevent settlement, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
Drainage Feature Grading
Grading around catch basins, swales, and drainage inlets to ensure proper water flow into drainage systems throughout Broward County. Road grading must work in conjunction with drainage infrastructure for effective water management, meeting SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Broward County Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Transition Grading
Smooth transitions between different road sections, intersections, and connections to existing roadways throughout Broward County. Transition grading ensures smooth vehicle access and proper drainage flow at connection points, meeting Broward County building code requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
Broward County Road Grading Considerations
Grading for roads and access drives in Broward County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:
- Storm Event Protection: Broward County requires minimum roadway crown elevation to be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. These criteria represent minimum standards and may be increased by the Engineer of Record as applicable. Road grading must ensure proper drainage and storm event protection.
- Development & Environmental Review (DER): Road 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 road and access drive 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. Road grading must comply with these requirements.
- SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Roads must be graded to direct water to stormwater inlets, swales, 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 into roadways.
- Required Infrastructure: Road grading must coordinate with required infrastructure including curbs, gutters, drainage structures, and associated drainage systems according to Broward County standards. Sidewalks may be required in residential, multiple-family, and business areas. Street name signs must be placed at all intersections as required by Broward County standards.
- High Water Table: Broward County's high water table affects subgrade preparation and may require additional base course material or elevation adjustments. Proper drainage is critical to prevent water from undermining road foundations, 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: Roads in flood zones may need to be graded to specific elevations above base flood elevation. This affects grading depth and may require additional fill material or elevation adjustments, particularly in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach.
- Guardrails and Traffic Barriers: Where streets are adjacent to or abut canals, lakes, or other bodies of water, guardrails or other traffic barriers may be required to prevent vehicles from entering these water bodies. Road grading must account for these safety requirements.
- 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 Road Grading Neighborhoods
We coordinate road and access drive grading services throughout Broward County, including:
Subdivision Development Areas
- Weston
- Plantation
- Pembroke Pines
- Coral Springs
- Parkland
Commercial Development Areas
- Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Boulevard
- Davie
- Sunrise
- Tamarac
Residential Communities
- Victoria Park
- Coral Ridge
- Harbor Beach
- Rio Vista
- Miramar
Coastal and Waterfront
- Hollywood
- Pompano Beach
- Deerfield Beach
- Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
- Cooper City
The Road and Access Drive Grading Process in Broward County
Our coordinated approach ensures your road or access drive meets all specifications and regulatory requirements in Broward County:
- Project Review: We review your engineering drawings, road design, and site plans to understand grading requirements. This includes identifying drainage points, utility locations, 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 road and access drive 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 road 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 (motor graders, compactors, laser-guided systems) and experience for precise road grading in Broward County, including expertise with 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements and subdivision infrastructure requirements.
- Rough Grading: Contractors perform initial earthmoving to achieve approximate elevations and establish the general road profile. This establishes the basic 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 longitudinal slopes, ensuring 10-year, 3-day storm event protection for roadway crown elevation, meeting Broward County building code requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
- Subgrade Compaction: Proper compaction of subgrade material to meet engineering specifications for road foundation support. Compaction testing ensures subgrade meets density requirements, accounting for Broward County's unique soil characteristics including limestone bedrock and sandy soils.
- Final Inspection: We coordinate final grading inspections with Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments, engineers, and paving contractors to ensure the graded road meets all specifications, 10-year, 3-day storm event protection requirements, and is ready for base course and paving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the storm event protection requirements for roads in Broward County?
Broward County requires minimum roadway crown elevation to be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. These criteria represent minimum standards and may be increased by the Engineer of Record as applicable. Road grading must ensure proper drainage and storm event protection, meeting Broward County building code requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.
What slope is required for road drainage in Broward County?
Roads in Broward County typically require a minimum longitudinal slope of 0.5% (0.5 feet of fall per 100 feet) for drainage, with a maximum of 6% for vehicle safety. Cross-slopes should be 2-3% to direct water to roadside drainage. Crown grading creates a center high point (typically 2-4 inches above edges) with water flowing to the sides. Minimum roadway crown elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. Proper slopes prevent water from pooling and ensure effective drainage, essential given Broward County's heavy rainfall and flat topography.
What permits are required for subdivision road grading in Broward County?
Subdivision road 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 access drive grading cost in Broward County?
Access drive grading costs in Broward County vary based on length, width, site conditions, flood zone requirements, and drainage requirements. Typical single access drives range from $30,000 to $100,000, while subdivision road networks can range from $100,000 to $500,000+ 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 infrastructure is required with subdivision roads in Broward County?
Subdivision roads in Broward County must include curbs, gutters, drainage structures, and associated drainage systems according to Broward County standards. Sidewalks may be required in residential, multiple-family, and business areas. Street name signs must be placed at all intersections as required by Broward County standards. Where streets are adjacent to canals, lakes, or other bodies of water, guardrails or traffic barriers may be required. Road grading must coordinate with all required infrastructure, meeting SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements and Natural Resource Protection Code standards.