The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) protects the supply and the quality of water resources by regulating the management and storage of surface waters and the dredging or filling of wetlands with ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE PERMITS (ERPs). For more information on Environmental Resource Permits, please reference the Environmental Resource Permit Information Manual Volume IV [pdf 29mb].
A 2009 amendment to Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes delegates to executive directors at the state's five water management districts the authority to approve permit applications related to water resources and the environment. To ensure continuing public involvement, the South Florida Water Management District is strengthening its commitment to transparency and open government by increasing public access to its permitting process.
RIGHT OF WAY (ROW) PERMITS are issued to protect the SFWMD's ability to effectively and safely use the canal and levee rights of way of the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project, the related water conservation areas, the works of the Big Cypress Basin, and certain other canals and rights of way - while providing for compatible public and private uses. For more information on Right of Way Permits, please reference the Right of Way Permit Information Manual Volume V [pdf 1mb].
The District also issues Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) "Works of the District (WOD)" permits to property owners working to reduce nutrient/pollution flows into areas such as LAKE OKEECHOBEE and the EVERGLADES.
For temporary access to SFWMD rights of way, local governments, contractors and others can request KEY PERMIT ACCESS.
To view a list of permit applications either processed, complete, or Individual Permits issued for the previous month please see the "On this page" section in the right hand column.
Florida Permitting Portal - Portal to all five water management districts' (WMDs) permitting. In counties where jurisdictions are split among WMDs, interactive features help you determine which district covers different parts of a county.
Regulatory Database Browsing and Downloading (RegDBD) - Instructions on how to download regulatory spatial data and an Arc/IMS site for viewing and displaying information regarding permits and facilities for all five water management districts.
ePermitting
Changes in the Permit Review Process
