Last Updated 04/12/2026
Excerpt from Broward County Municipal Code
Article V.- Water Resource Management
Sec. 27-191. – Declaration of intent.
The Board of County Commissioners (board), in order to properly protect the waters of Broward County, declares that the presence of pollutants, in excess of concentrations hereinafter provided, is harmful to the waters of the county and the presence of such concentrations is deemed to be prima facie evidence of pollution of the waters of Broward County and the same is expressly prohibited. The policy inherent in the standards shall be to protect water quality existing at the time these water quality standards were adopted or to upgrade or enhance water quality within the county. Where a new or increased source of pollution poses a possibility of degrading existing water quality, such project development shall not be issued a license until the applicant demonstrates that such development will not be detrimental to the best interests of the county and consistent with its social and economic development. Appropriate treatment shall be required as part of the initial project design to ensure that the quality of the receiving waters will be protected.
The board so finds and declares that, in order to protect the soils and waters of Broward County, it is necessary to provide for the management of water and related land resources; to promote the conservation, development and proper utilization of surface water and ground water; to ensure water storage and ground water recharge for beneficial purposes; to prevent damage from floods, soil erosion and excessive drainage; to prevent the degradation of the county’s drinking water supply from waterborne non-point-source and other sources of pollution and saltwater intrusion; to maintain the quality of water of natural habitats for the propagation and protection of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna; and to provide conditions necessary for continued recreational development.
Furthermore, it is the intent of the board, in adopting these regulations, to implement county-wide water resources planning and policy positions as they relate to regional and local water supply plans and ecosystem restoration projects, to establish a program which minimizes duplication of permitting and allows the board to seek delegation of certain domestic wastewater permitting authorization from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and surface water management permitting authorization from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). The criteria contained herein are minimum criteria with the primary goal to meet county water resource objectives. Performance criteria are used whenever possible.
South Florida Water Management District
Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs)
Every plant needs nutrients to survive and thrive, but South Florida’s native plants often are out-competed by other plants better able to use heavier nutrient loads. In constructed wetlands known as Stormwater Treatment Areas, some of these non-native plants with an appetite for high levels of nutrients are being used selectively to help remove excess nutrients, so that native plants can once again thrive.
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.
STAs are comprised of parcels of land with compartments or cells with different plants predominating in each cell. Emergent plants, like cattails, pickerel weed and bulrush, remove nutrients and store them in peat-like soils as they decay. Submerged plants, including hydrilla, southern naiad and chara, also take phosphorus directly from the water in STAs.
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 Broward County?
Look for the same physical warning signs as anywhere else: standing water lingering more than 72 hours after rain, erosion around ponds or drainage structures, sinkholes near underground infrastructure or discolored discharge. In Broward, there’s an added layer worth watching. The county’s water resource management code treats any pollutant discharge above adopted water quality standards as prima facie evidence of pollution, so a system that’s quietly out of spec on discharge quality can be a compliance issue even without visible damage. Missing O&M records or a lapsed inspection history round out the list of red flags.
How does stormwater compliance affect property value in Broward County?
Broward properties often sit under overlapping county, state and South Florida Water Management District requirements, so buyers and lenders doing due diligence tend to ask for more documentation here, not less. A flooding history or an unresolved compliance issue affects insurability and appraised value the same way it would anywhere, but the added permitting layers mean gaps in paperwork get noticed faster. Deferred pond or system maintenance also compounds quickly, turning a modest annual upkeep cost into a much larger repair bill down the line.
How often does Broward County require stormwater inspections?
Frequency depends on which permit governs the property, since the county has worked to align its own requirements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District rather than layering separate reviews on top of each other. Most commercial properties still land on an annual cycle at minimum, with closer attention paid to sites near sensitive waterways or those with a history of violations. Properties under an active SFWMD surface water management permit should confirm their specific inspection schedule, since it can differ from the county’s general baseline.
What are the most common stormwater violations in Broward County?
The county’s code prohibits discharges that push pollutant levels above adopted water quality standards, so exceeding that threshold is the core violation everything else supports. On the ground, that usually traces back to familiar culprits: overgrown vegetation choking a pond or swale, sediment buildup eating into storage capacity, clogged inlets or outfalls, and runoff carrying excess fertilizer or pesticide from adjacent landscaping. Missing maintenance records or an unrecorded agreement can also flag a property even when the system is otherwise functioning.
Does new development or expansion in Broward County require extra stormwater review?
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.
