Rough and Final Grading for New Developments in Fort Lauderdale, FL

Who This Service Is For

Rough and final grading services in Broward County are essential for developers, general contractors, subdivision developers, and anyone preparing large sites for new construction projects throughout Broward County, including Weston, Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, and other growing communities.

Whether you're developing a new subdivision in Weston, a commercial complex in Plantation, or a multi-phase residential project in Pembroke Pines, proper grading sequencing ensures site preparation is completed efficiently and meets all engineering specifications. We coordinate licensed contractors to handle both rough and final grading phases, navigating Broward County Building Code Division, Development & Environmental Review (DER), Natural Resource Protection Code compliance, and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits with expertise.

Broward County Development Grading Considerations

Grading for new developments in Broward County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• Development & Environmental Review (DER): All development within Broward County must comply with 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. The county will not issue building permits prior to receipt of proof of payment for impact fees and a copy of final Planning and Development Management Review approval.
• 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 development 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. Development grading must comply with these requirements.
• Site Plan Review: Large developments in Broward County require site plan review, with 25 plan sets required for large projects and 45 days review time for large projects. Development grading must be coordinated with site plan approval and permit issuance.
• Phased Grading Operations: Large developments require phased grading to coordinate with utility installation, road construction, and building schedules. Rough grading establishes general grades, while final grading is completed just before building construction. Grading must be sequenced properly with infrastructure work to meet Broward County requirements, accounting for 180-day permit validity periods.
• SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits: Development grading must incorporate proper drainage and stormwater management 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. Grading must work in conjunction with retention areas and drainage systems.
• Storm Event Protection: First floor elevations of all structures must be protected from a 100-year, 3-day storm event. Minimum roadway crown elevation and parking lot elevation must be protected from a 10-year, 3-day storm event. Development grading must ensure compliance with these requirements.
• Flood Zone Compliance: Developments in flood zones must have building pads and infrastructure graded to specific elevations above Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This affects grading depth and may require additional fill material, particularly in coastal areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach.
• High Water Table: Broward County's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects grading depth and compaction. Proper dewatering may be required, and building pads may need to be elevated above the water table for foundation stability. SFWMD Environmental Resource Permits are required for dewatering activities affecting state waters. This is especially important in areas like Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and coastal neighborhoods.
• Engineering Specifications: All grading must meet exact elevations and slopes specified in engineering drawings, typically within 0.1 feet of specified grades. Contractors must have the equipment and expertise to achieve precise elevations. A site plan and grading plan, prepared by a licensed surveyor or engineer, must be submitted with the building permit application showing proposed elevations relative to BFE and storm event protection 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.

The Development Grading Process in Broward County

Our coordinated approach ensures your development grading meets all specifications and regulatory requirements in Broward County:

1. Project Review: We review your engineering drawings, site plans, and development schedule to understand grading requirements and identify any challenges. This includes coordinating with utility providers, Broward County Building Code Division, and other contractors, and analyzing flood zone requirements, storm event protection needs, and climate resilience considerations.
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 development grading projects in Broward County.
3. 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 development grading projects comply with the Broward County Land Development Code and Natural Resource Protection Code. All DER submittals are only accepted electronically. The county will not issue building permits prior to receipt of proof of payment for impact fees and a copy of final Planning and Development Management Review approval.
4. 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. Large developments may require site plan review with 25 plan sets and 45 days review time. We coordinate with Broward County Building Code Division, SFWMD, and other regulatory agencies as needed.
5. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment (graders, compactors, laser-guided systems) and experience for large-scale development grading in Broward County, including expertise with storm event protection requirements, high water table conditions, and subdivision infrastructure requirements.
6. Rough Grading: Contractors perform initial earthmoving to achieve approximate elevations across the development site. Rough grading establishes general grades and prepares the site for utility installation and fine grading, accounting for Broward County's high water table and coastal soil conditions.
7. Utility Coordination: Grading is coordinated with utility installation to ensure proper sequencing. Utilities must be installed before final grading in most areas to avoid damage to graded surfaces. We coordinate with utility providers and ensure compliance with Broward County requirements.
8. Final Grading: Precise grading work using laser-guided equipment to achieve exact elevations specified in engineering drawings. Final grading is completed just before building construction to ensure precise elevations, meeting Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements, 100-year, 3-day storm event protection for structures, and 10-year, 3-day storm event protection for roadways and parking lots where applicable.
9. Final Inspection: We coordinate final grading inspections with Broward County Building Code Division or municipal building departments, engineers, and building contractors to ensure all areas meet specifications, engineering requirements, storm event protection requirements, and are ready for building construction.

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