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Environmental Review Procedures
Environmental Review Approval is an important step in the process of obtaining a building or construction permit in Broward County. Review and approval at the Environmental Review Approval Desk is verification that all required licenses and pending enforcement issues related to the County’s Natural Resource Protection Code (the Code) have been resolved. Environmental Protection Department (EPD) operation licenses that will be required at the completion of the project are also identified.
Applicants may be required to complete one or more application forms. Upon confirmation of compliance, Environmental Review Services’ approval stamps will be placed on plans or applications. Most evaluations require payment of an approval fee. The size and nature of the project dictate the fee which cannot be determined until review of the project is completed. Fees may be payed by cash or check.
Approved plans become invalid if not submitted to the relevant municipal or County agency within thirty days.
In general, projects requiring a specific EPD license for construction, addition or modification must first obtain that license before Environmental Review Approval is granted. Completion of an industrial review form is required for submittal of nonresidential projects. This form helps staff to determine any need for additional EPD approvals and to identify future approval or license requirements which may be necessary after the project becomes operational
Projects That Require ERS Approval
Projects That Do Not Require ERS Approval
Required Forms
Evaluations Made During the Review Process
Contact Information
Projects That Require ERS Approval
Building Construction
- All new building construction, residential or nonresidential
- All additions to nonresidential buildings
- All interior alterations to industrial buildings or warehouses
- All interior alterations to commercial or office buildings where a change in use or seating capacity will occur or where the building has been vacant for six months or more
- Final interior construction of existing shell buildings
- All foundations or slabs greater than 250 square feet, except for existing single family residences.
- Conversions from septic tanks to sewers.
Site Preparation and Infrastructure
Other Impacts
- All work performed near the ocean
- All new or replacement emergency generators, excluding portable generators
- All open burning
- All landfill and solid waste transfer facilities
- All new commercial or multifamily swimming pool construction.
- Construction or installation of above or below ground storage tanks
Projects That Do Not Require ERS Approval
- Landscaping
- Utility pole installation
- Interior changes to retail or office buildings in which there is no change in use or seating capacity; which have not been vacant for six months or more, and provide no building materials are being removed or disturbed.
- Well construction
- Installation of compressed gas tanks
- Painting of buildings
- Sand blasting and pressure cleaning
- Sidewalk installation and replacement
- Outdoor recreation equipment such as swings and slides
- Routine maintenance of grounds and equipment
- Traffic striping
- Installation of security, telephone, intercom, and public address systems
- Septic tank and drainfield repair
- Carports for single family residences
- Residential swimming pools
- Residential slabs
- Construction or installation of signs
- Residential balcony enclosures
- Buildings less than 250 square feet
- Improvements to mobile homes
- Placement of mobile homes on existing slabs
- Patios less than 250 square feet
- Screen porches on existing slabs
- Additions to residences on septic tank
- General repair and routine maintenance
- Fences
- Electrical installations
- Interior remodeling of a home with no increase in number of bedrooms
- Installation of lawn sprinklers
- All residential additions
- Installation of residential satellite dishes and TV antennas
Environmental Review Approval Forms
The forms listed below are used for application for approval in the DMD Environmental Reviews Process. An Environmental Review Approval is required prior to issuance of any building permit or approval granted by municipal or county agency. For specific details please see DMD Environmental Review Guide
How to choose which forms to use for your approval -- pdf
Environmental Review Procedure Form -- pdf
Note that the DMD Environmental Review Section will only accept official 3 part form and not this form downloaded and printed. This application is provided here solely as a way for our customers to know what information is required on the official forms.
Application for Environmental Review of Construction Plans -- pdf
Note that we will only accept this application on legal-size paper (8-1/2 x 14)
Environmental Review Plan Substitute Form -- pdf
Information for Environmental Review Approval Form-- pdf
Industrial Review Application-- pdf
Note that the DMD Environmental Review Section will only accept official 2 part application and not this form downloaded and printed. This application is provided here solely as a way for our customers to know what information is required on the official forms. This application is on legal-size paper (8-1/2 x 14)
Evaluations Made During the Review Process
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CAPACITY
Any project generating a wastewater flow will be reviewed to ensure sufficient capacity exists at the wastewater treatment plant serving the project. If the proposed project would put the associated wastewater treatment plant over capacity, or in any other way violate the treatment plant’s license, Development Review Approval staff may withhold approval until evidence is available that the wastewater treatment plant can accommodate the additional capacity.
AVAILABILITY OF A WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM
A wastewater collection/transmission system project is one involving construction, modification, expansion, or replacement of sanitary sewers, sanitary manholes, sanitary force mains, or pump stations. Under limited circumstances, a project may be allowed to proceed to the building department even if the wastewater collection system is not yet EPD approved. Such conditional approval relies on a determination that construction will not adversely affect the environment, that necessary land development licenses have been obtained, and the applicant has agreed that no certificate of occupancy will be issued until the wastewater collection system is completed. Release of the conditional approval will be granted only after EPD’s Water Resources Division has reviewed as-built drawings and has determined that the applicant is in compliance with Section 27- 194 (f) of the Code.
WELLFIELD PROTECTION
For new construction and all industrial and commercial projects, a determination is made regarding location with respect to drinking water supply wells. If staff determines that the project is in a protected wellfield zone, the project is referred to EPD’s Pollution Prevention and Remediation Division for possible licensing. If such a license requirement is confirmed, Development Review Approval will not be granted until a complete application for a wellfield protection license has been received by Land Use and Permit Division Licensing Section.
STORAGE TANK LICENSING
All projects are reviewed to determine the presence of regulated storage tanks. A regulated storage tank is any above or below ground tank used to store hazardous materials with a volume greater than the threshold volume as defined in the Code. If such a tank is present, a valid storage tank license is required in order to obtain Development Review Approval. A license is also required before plans to construct or modify a tank can be approved.
STATIONARY AIR SOURCE LICENSE
All projects are reviewed to determine if a Stationary Air Source license is required. A stationary air source is a business or project emitting or controlling certain contaminants as further defined in the Code. All stationary air sources are referred to EPD’s Air Quality Division for licensing as required by Section 27-184 (a) of the Code. Development Review Approval will not be issued for construction of the stationary air source facility until the appropriate license is issued by the Air Quality Division.
COMPLEX AIR SOURCE LICENSE
All projects are reviewed to assess the number of parking spaces to be constructed, if any. If more than 400 spaces are proposed, the associated air impacts from the increased vehicular traffic must be considered in the review. The project is referred to EPD’s Air Quality Division for evaluation. The Air Quality Division will notify the applicant and the Development Review Desk in writing if a license is required under Section 27-184(b) and identify any conditions the project must meet prior to proceeding.
SPECIAL AREAS OF CONCERN
If a project lies within a special area of concern as defined in the Broward County Land Development Code, the project will be referred to EPD’s Biological Resources Division for evaluation. These areas include Natural Resource Areas (NRAs), Local Areas of Particular Concern (LAPCs), and other protected areas. Development Review Approval will not be granted until the Biological Resources Division notifies the Development Review Approval staff that the project complies with the requirements of Section 27-67 (d) of the Code.
CONTAMINATED SITES
Every application for new construction is reviewed to determine if the site overlies or is adjacent to a site for which there is evidence that some prior release or discharge of pollutants has required assessment or possible remediation. In such a case, the project is referred to EPD’s Pollution Prevention and Remediation Division for evaluation. If this evaluation determines that the proposed project will not adversely affect cleanup of the site in accordance with Section 27-66(f) of the Code, notification is made to the Development Review Approval staff so that the approval process may continue.
ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES
Every project is reviewed for current or outstanding enforcement actions. If the project is found to have an outstanding enforcement issue, the project is referred to EPD’s Enforcement Administration Section for evaluation in accordance with Sections 27-66 (k) and 27-55(d) (1) and (6) of the Code. Upon resolution of enforcement matters, the Enforcement Administration Section will notify the Development Review Approval staff in writing to allow the project to continue through the approval process.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE LICENSE
All projects are reviewed to determine if an Environmental Resource license is necessary. Such projects may involve 1) wetlands, 2) dredging and filling activities, 3) construction of docks, pilings, and bridges, 4) lake removal, 5) alteration of mangroves, or other water-related activities. These projects must obtain a license from EPD’s Biological Resources Division in accordance with Section 27-333 of the Code. Development Review Approval for such a project will not be granted until the project receives a license from the Biological Resources Division.
SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT LICENSE
Each project is evaluated to determined jurisdiction for drainage. Projects in EPD’s jurisdiction that are nonresidential or residential and larger than a duplex must meet the drainage criteria set forth in Section 27-215 of the Code. Those projects will be referred to EPD’s Water Resources Division for evaluation and may require a Surface Water Management license. Development Review Approval for such projects will not be issued until a license is obtained from the Water Resources Division.
SEPTIC TANKS
Projects are reviewed to determine if the use of septic tanks is appropriate. If the plans or nature of the business suggests that discharge to a septic system may not be limited to domestic wastewater, the project may be referred to the Water Resources Division for review and approval before the Development Review Approval is issued.
DEMOLITION AND RENOVATION
If a project requires demolition or renovation and is nonresidential or residential and greater than four units, the applicant must complete a Statement of Responsibilities Regarding Asbestos. If the work to be performed does not involve new construction, building departments may accept forms directly from the applicant and forward the appropriate copy to EPD.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL LICENSE
All nonresidential projects are reviewed to determine if a Hazardous Material license will be required after the project has been completed. If a determination is made that such a license may be required, the applicant is notified of their responsibility to obtain this license in accordance with the requirements in Section 27-356 of the Code. Projects for existing facilities that appear to need a Hazardous Material license may be referred to a Pollution Prevention and Remediation Division License Coordinator for evaluation if neither a valid license nor license application is on file with EPD. The project maynot receive Environmental Review Approval until an appropriate application is received by EPD.
TREE PROTECTION LICENSING
If trees will be removed, relocated, or replaced and the project is in unincorporated Broward County or in a municipality where EPD has jurisdiction, the project will be referred to EPD’s Biological Resources Division for licensing and/or approval in accordance with Section 27-342 of the Code. Development Review Approval will not be granted until the Biological Resources Division license or approval is obtained.
OTHER LICENSE REVIEW CHECKS
In addition, all projects are assessed to determine the need for other licenses including solid waste and industrial transfer station licenses. If a license is required for construction of a facility in any of these categories, the applicant will be referred to the appropriate EPD division for further evaluation. Environmental Review Approval will not be granted until all appropriate licenses are issued.
Contact Information
The permitting process is not a standalone, one-agency process. It involves several processes and agencies. In addition to the Broward County Land Development Code and the South Florida Building Code, the permitting process is governed by numerous other Federal, State and local regulations. Individual municipalities may have specific requirements and should be consulted on each project.
The following Broward County agencies are involved in the permitting process:
Environmental Protection Department
954-519-1200
1 University Dr., Plantation, FL 33324
Air Quality Division
519-1220
Biological Resources Division
519-1230
Pollution Prevention and Remediation Division
519-1260
Water Resource Division
519-1270
Public Works and Transportation Department Highway Construction and Engineering Division
954-357-6410
1 University Dr., Plantation, FL 33324
State of Florida Department of Health
954-467-4700
2421 SW 6 Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Dept. of Business and Professional Regulations, State of Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants 850-487-1395 5080 Coconut Creek Pkwy, Margate, FL 33063
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