Site Regrading for Drainage in Miami, FL

Who This Service Is For

Site regrading for drainage in Miami-Dade County is essential for property owners, homeowners, commercial property managers, and anyone experiencing standing water, flooding, or water damage due to poor site grading in Miami-Dade County.

Whether you're dealing with standing water after rain in Miami Beach, water pooling around your foundation in Coral Gables, or flooding in low-lying areas in Aventura, site regrading can redirect water flow and eliminate drainage problems. We coordinate contractors with expertise in Miami-Dade County drainage requirements, DERM regulations, FPLOS/WQLOS standards, and the 25-year, 72-hour storm event design criteria to implement effective regrading solutions that meet county requirements.

Miami-Dade County Drainage Regrading Considerations

Site regrading for drainage in Miami-Dade County requires specialized knowledge of local conditions and regulatory requirements:

• DERM as Primary Reviewing Authority: DERM (Department of Environmental Resources Management) serves as the primary reviewing authority for drainage permits in Miami-Dade County. Site regrading that involves drainage modifications requires DERM Plan Review Approval for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24. DERM requires comprehensive hydraulic modeling, water quality analyses, and demonstration of compliance with both FPLOS and WQLOS standards.
• 25-Year, 72-Hour Storm Minimum Design Requirement: Miami-Dade County requires developers to design stormwater systems for the 25-year, 72-hour storm minimum as the baseline design event. Site regrading must be coordinated with drainage systems sized for this design storm, with proper storage volumes and discharge rates to meet both Flood Protection Level of Service (FPLOS) and Water Quality Level of Service (WQLOS) standards.
• FPLOS and WQLOS Standards: Miami-Dade County's stormwater management standards contain two critical components. FPLOS addresses flood risk mitigation and ensures that developments do not exacerbate flooding conditions on adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. WQLOS requires strict pollutant loading calculations and water quality protection measures. Site regrading projects must comply with both components.
• On-Site Retention with Groundwater Recharge: Miami-Dade County's approach emphasizes on-site retention with groundwater recharge, rather than detention and controlled discharge. Site regrading should be designed to encourage water infiltration into the aquifer rather than rapid removal from the site, supporting aquifer recharge and reducing stress on the county's stormwater infrastructure.
• County Flood Criteria Map Requirements: The County Flood Criteria Map requires that lands be filled, graded, and harmonized to match existing road elevations as needed. Site regrading projects must account for these requirements, which may mandate elevations higher than the minimum flood criteria to accommodate stormwater drainage systems. All stormwater infrastructure must be designed to prevent negative impacts on adjacent properties.
• High Water Table: Miami-Dade's high water table, which can be within 2-3 feet of the surface in many areas, affects regrading operations and requires proper compaction to prevent settlement. Regrading must account for high water table conditions, especially in areas like Miami Beach, Aventura, and coastal neighborhoods where the water table is particularly high.
• Flood Zone Compliance: Properties in flood zones (AE, VE, AH, AO) must have regrading that complies with FEMA requirements and Miami-Dade building codes, including proper elevation of structures and drainage features to meet Base Flood Elevation (BFE) requirements. Regrading in flood zones may require significant fill material to achieve proper elevations.
• Impervious Surface Regulations: Miami-Dade County has implemented ordinances addressing impervious surfaces and paving regulations, with permits required for new paving installations (effective March 31, 2025). Site regrading must account for impervious surface area in the watershed and ensure proper stormwater drainage within properties.

The Site Regrading Process in Miami-Dade County

Our coordinated approach ensures your drainage problems are effectively addressed and meet all Miami-Dade County regulatory requirements:

1. Site Assessment: We evaluate your site to identify drainage problems, water flow patterns, and low-lying areas specific to Miami-Dade County conditions including flood zone analysis, high water table assessment, and FPLOS/WQLOS requirements. Assessment includes reviewing site conditions during and after rain events to understand water accumulation patterns.
2. Drainage Design: We develop a regrading plan that addresses specific drainage problems and creates proper water flow, meeting the 25-year, 72-hour storm event design criteria and FPLOS/WQLOS standards. The plan identifies areas that need elevation changes and determines the best approach for redirecting water flow, with priority on on-site retention and groundwater recharge.
3. Miami-Dade Permit Coordination: We help identify required permits including DERM Plan Review Approval (for projects requiring Miami-Dade Review under Chapter 24), RER building permits, impervious surface permits where applicable, and coordinate with regulatory agencies. Regrading projects may require permits, especially if significant earthwork is involved or if work is in flood zones.
4. Contractor Selection: We match your project with licensed contractors who have the right equipment and experience for regrading work in Miami-Dade County, including expertise with high water table conditions, flood zone requirements, and FPLOS/WQLOS standards. Contractors assess drainage problems and implement effective regrading solutions.
5. Regrading Execution: Contractors perform earthmoving to adjust site elevations and create proper slopes, meeting Miami-Dade County Flood Criteria Map requirements. This may involve adding fill material to low areas or removing material to create drainage channels, with elevations that may need to match existing road elevations as required by county standards.
6. Drainage System Integration: Regrading is coordinated with drainage system installation or upgrades if needed, ensuring systems meet the 25-year, 72-hour storm event design criteria and FPLOS/WQLOS standards. This ensures water flows to drainage points effectively and eliminates standing water, with priority on on-site retention and groundwater recharge.
7. Final Inspection: We coordinate final inspections with DERM, RER, or municipal building departments to ensure regrading effectively addresses drainage problems and that water flows properly away from structures and toward drainage systems, meeting FPLOS and WQLOS standards. Systems are ready for operation after final approval.

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