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Quick Answer

An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is required for most Florida construction projects that affect surface water or stormwater drainage. ERPs are issued by Florida's 5 Water Management Districts under Chapter 62-330 F.A.C. Processing takes 30–180+ days depending on permit type. All ERP applications require PE-stamped engineering plans. Engineering fees range from $3,000–$15,000 for residential projects.

What is an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP)?

An Environmental Resource Permit is Florida's primary regulatory mechanism for managing stormwater and protecting water resources. Administered by the state's five Water Management Districts, ERPs ensure that construction and development projects properly manage stormwater runoff, prevent flooding, and protect water quality.

The ERP program operates under Chapter 62-330 of the Florida Administrative Code, which consolidates what were previously separate permits for stormwater management (MSSW) and wetland impacts (WRM) into a single permit.

When You Need an ERP

Florida law generally requires an ERP for any project that:

  • Creates new impervious surfaces (buildings, driveways, patios, pools)
  • Alters existing drainage patterns or surface water flow
  • Discharges into or connects to surface water bodies
  • Impacts wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas
  • Involves earth-moving activities that change stormwater flow

Three Types of ERP Permits

1. General Permits (Exemptions)

For minor activities with minimal environmental impact. Many general permits don't require a formal application — the activity is authorized by rule if it meets specific criteria.

Processing Time

No review needed

Common Uses

Minor dock repairs, small fill activities

2. Noticed General Permits

For projects with slightly more impact that still fall within pre-defined criteria. Requires a brief notice to the WMD before starting work.

Processing Time

30 days

Common Uses

Small residential projects, minor earthwork

3. Individual Permits (Standard & Complex)

For significant projects requiring full engineering review. This is the most common ERP type for residential and commercial drainage projects. Requires PE-stamped engineering plans, stormwater calculations, and detailed environmental assessment.

Processing Time

60–180+ days

Common Uses

New construction, commercial development, pool drainage

Florida's Five Water Management Districts

Each of Florida's five Water Management Districts administers ERPs for their jurisdiction. Requirements, fees, and design storm standards vary by district.

District Counties Design Storm Typical Timeline
SFWMD 16 (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Lee, Collier...) 25-yr/3-day 30–90 days
SJRWMD 18 (Duval, Orange, Seminole, Brevard, Volusia...) 25-yr/24-hr 30–60 days
SWFWMD 16 (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota...) 25-yr/24-hr 30–60 days
SRWMD 15 (Alachua, Columbia, Levy...) 25-yr/24-hr 30–45 days
NWFWMD 16 (Leon, Escambia, Bay, Okaloosa...) 10-yr to 25-yr 30–60 days

The ERP Application Process

1

Site Assessment

A Licensed Professional Engineer visits the property to evaluate existing conditions, topography, soil characteristics, water table depth, and proximity to water bodies or wetlands.

2

Engineering Design & Calculations

The PE designs the stormwater system — retention/detention sizing, pipe networks, grading plans, and water quality treatment. All calculations must meet the local WMD's design storm standard.

3

PE-Stamped Plan Preparation

The engineer prepares the formal plan set — grading plans, drainage details, stormwater calculations, environmental assessment — and signs and seals the documents.

4

Application Submission

The complete application package is submitted to the appropriate Water Management District, including all engineering plans, calculations, environmental documentation, and fees.

5

Agency Review & RAI Response

The WMD reviews the application and may issue Requests for Additional Information (RAIs). A well-prepared initial submission minimizes RAIs and reduces processing time.

6

Permit Issuance

Once approved, the WMD issues the ERP. The permit typically includes conditions for construction, post-construction certification, and ongoing maintenance requirements.

ERP Permit Costs

ERP costs have two components: government application fees (paid to the WMD) and engineering fees (paid to your engineer). Engineering fees represent the bulk of the total cost.

Residential Projects

$3,000 – $15,000

Engineering fees for residential ERP applications including site assessment, calculations, PE-stamped plans, and permit coordination.

Commercial Projects

$10,000 – $150,000+

Engineering fees for commercial ERP applications including stormwater master planning, retention/detention design, and multi-agency coordination.

Source: CivilSmart Engineering service pricing. Government application fees are additional and vary by WMD and permit type.

Common ERP Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting without PE-stamped plans

Every WMD requires PE-stamped engineering plans. Applications without them are returned immediately, wasting weeks.

Using the wrong design storm standard

SFWMD uses a 25-year/3-day standard while most other districts use 25-year/24-hour. Using the wrong standard means redesign and resubmittal.

Incomplete environmental assessment

If your project is near wetlands, failing to include a wetland delineation or impact assessment will trigger RAIs and delays of 30–60 additional days.

Not coordinating with local agencies

ERPs are separate from local building permits. Many projects need both WMD ERPs AND local permits. Failing to coordinate can create conflicting requirements.

Starting construction before permit approval

Working without a required ERP can result in stop-work orders, fines, and required restoration — far more expensive than getting the permit upfront.

Related Resources

SFWMD ERP Permit Guide

Detailed guide for South Florida's WMD

SFWMD ERP Permit Timeline

Processing times by permit type

Drainage Permit Costs Florida

Government fees + engineering costs compared

Florida Drainage Permits Guide

All permit types explained

CivilSmart Permit Services

Full permit coordination across all 5 WMDs

Florida Stormwater Permit Guide

Every Florida permit type explained

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is Florida's primary permit for projects that affect surface water, wetlands, or stormwater management systems. ERPs are administered by the 5 Water Management Districts (SFWMD, SJRWMD, SWFWMD, SRWMD, NWFWMD) under Chapter 62-330 F.A.C. Almost any construction that alters surface water flow in Florida requires an ERP.
ERP processing times vary by permit type and complexity. General/noticed ERPs typically take 30–60 days. Standard individual ERPs take 60–120 days. Complex projects with wetland impacts or multi-jurisdictional review can take 120–180+ days. The biggest delays come from incomplete applications and Requests for Additional Information (RAIs).
ERP costs include government application fees (which vary by Water Management District and permit type) plus engineering fees. Engineering fees for ERP applications typically range from $3,000–$15,000 for residential projects and $10,000–$150,000+ for commercial projects. The engineering fee covers site assessment, drainage calculations, PE-stamped plans, and permit application preparation.
Yes. All Water Management Districts require PE-stamped engineering plans and calculations for ERP applications. A Licensed Professional Engineer must sign and seal the drainage design, stormwater calculations, and permit application documents. This is a non-negotiable requirement across all 5 Florida WMDs.
Your ERP is administered by the Water Management District that covers your project location. SFWMD covers 16 counties in South Florida (including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach). SJRWMD covers 18 counties in Northeast/Central Florida (including Duval, Orange). SWFWMD covers 16 counties in Southwest Florida (including Hillsborough, Pinellas). SRWMD covers 15 counties in North Central Florida. NWFWMD covers 16 counties in the Panhandle.
An ERP is generally required for projects that create new impervious surfaces, alter existing drainage patterns, discharge into or connect to surface water bodies, impact wetlands, or involve earth-moving activities that change how stormwater flows. Common triggers include new construction, additions, pool installations, large paving projects, and land clearing.
General ERPs cover minor activities with minimal impacts (often no application needed). Noticed General ERPs require a brief notice to the WMD for slightly larger projects — these typically process in 30 days. Individual ERPs are for significant projects and require full application review with engineering plans — these take 60–180+ days depending on complexity.
Yes. CivilSmart Engineering's Licensed Professional Engineers handle the entire ERP process — from initial site assessment and engineering calculations to PE-stamped plan preparation, permit application submission, and agency coordination through approval. We work with all 5 Florida Water Management Districts and have a 100% permit approval rate.

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