Last Updated 04/12/2026
Excerpt from Port St. Lucie Municipal Code
Title XV- Land Usage Article III- Soil and Water
Sec 157.22 Stormwater Management
(A) Stormwater runoff peak discharge rate, volumes, and pollutant loadings shall be managed to minimize the adverse impacts of erosion, sedimentation, flooding, and water pollution to protect surface water, groundwater, and other natural resources.
(B) The design, construction, and performance of all surface water management systems shall be in compliance with applicable federal and state regulations, requirements of the South Florida Water Management District, and the requirements of this Code. In all cases, the strictest of the applicable standards shall apply.
(D) Standards for the stormwater management plan, design, and calculations shall be in accordance with the Engineering Standards for Land Development. Stormwater systems shall be designed to meet the city’s adopted level of service for drainage as follows:
- The level of service adopted for stormwater management facilities for existing surface water management systems shall be as shown in the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) permit governing said system.
- Systems without a permit shall be as shown in SFWMD rules in effect at the time of the system’s original construction.
Stormwater Treatment Areas
Stormwater Treatment Areas, or STAs, are constructed wetlands that remove and store nutrients through plant growth and the accumulation of dead plant material that is slowly converted to a layer of peat soil. Five STAs south of Lake Okeechobee are now removing excess nutrients from agricultural runoff water and, in some cases, runoff from urban tributaries, before discharging it into the Everglades and other natural areas. Two more STAs north of Lake Okeechobee are now in the planning stage.
At present, these STAs south of Lake Okeechobee have an effective treatment area of 57,000 acres, which includes STA expansions completed in 2012 in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) that added nearly 12,000 acres of treatment wetlands. North and east of Lake Okeechobee, STAs are also used to remove phosphorus from water flowing into the lake, St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.
Urban Best Management Practices
Cities and communities also contribute nutrients and other pollutants to our region’s rivers, lakes and wetlands. Storm water flowing over city streets or the rich green lawns and gardens that fill our urban and suburban landscapes can carry excess nutrients from the fertilizers and herbicides we use, as well as all the other contaminants that are a by-product of modern life.
Local governments and developers are also required to adopt Stormwater Best Management Practices, or BMPs, that make sure that water flowing into our natural ecosystems is cleaner. These BMPs include keeping direct urban stormwater runoff away from waterways, retaining and cleaning stormwater or irrigation water “on-site” and reducing the amount of water used for irrigation, as well as the type and quantity of fertilizers and pesticides or herbicides used on our landscapes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my stormwater system is at risk in Port St. Lucie?
The physical signs are the same ones to watch anywhere: standing water lingering more than 72 hours, erosion around drainage structures, sinkholes or discolored discharge. Port St. Lucie’s code adds a specific benchmark on top of that, since every surface water management system has to perform at the level of service set in its governing South Florida Water Management District permit, or in the SFWMD rules that were in effect when the system was originally built if no permit exists. A system that’s drifted below that original design standard is out of compliance even before anyone spots a puddle.
How does stormwater compliance affect property value in Port St. Lucie?
Because performance standards here trace back to whichever SFWMD permit or rule set governed the system’s original construction, older properties can carry design requirements that differ meaningfully from what’s expected of new development nearby. That distinction matters during a sale, since a buyer’s engineer will want to confirm which standard applies and whether the system still meets it. A well-documented system that’s holding to its governing level of service is a much easier sell than one where that history has been lost.
How often does Port St. Lucie require stormwater inspections?
The city applies whichever standard is strictest among federal, state, SFWMD and local requirements, so inspection expectations can vary somewhat by system and permit type. In practice, most commercial properties should plan on at least an annual check to confirm the system is still meeting its governing level of service, with closer attention warranted for any property feeding into a sensitive tributary that flows toward the St. Lucie Estuary or Indian River Lagoon.
What are the most common stormwater violations in Port St. Lucie?
Most findings AQUALIS sees come down to a system that no longer performs at the level of service its permit or original design called for, usually because of sediment buildup, vegetation overgrowth or a component in need of repair. Urban best management practices are a common gap too: excess fertilizer or pesticide runoff, irrigation water that isn’t being cleaned or retained on-site, or a lack of buffer between a landscaped area and a waterway. All of that eventually contributes to the same regional problem, since these nutrients are exactly what the Stormwater Treatment Areas south of Lake Okeechobee exist to filter out before water reaches the Everglades.
What role do BMPs play in Port St. Lucie stormwater compliance?
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Regulations change frequently — AQUALIS makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this content, and any reliance on it is at your own risk. Consult a qualified professional or your local regulatory authority to confirm requirements applicable to your specific property.
