Many of the activities of the Florida Keys Service Center focus on the regulation of water resources in the area. SFWMD regulates the management and storage of surface waters, including dredging or filling in wetlands, by requiring environmental resource permits. Any proposed surface water management system involving a project site 100 acres or more in size -- or with more than 1 acre of wetland impacts -- will require an Individual Permit. In most cases, project sites less than 100 acres in size with less than 1 acre of wetland impacts qualify for a Standard General, Noticed General or No Notice General Permit. The objective of SFWMD Permitting is to assure that permitted activities are neither harmful to the water resources within the District nor inconsistent with the public interest.
Obtaining a Permit
Florida Keys Service Center staff are available to assist permit applicants in the permitting process. A pre-permit conference between applicant and service center staff is strongly encouraged. Permit costs vary depending on the nature of the application. The time required for reviewing a permit application also varies, depending on the complexity of the application and sufficiency of information submitted by the applicant. Once an application is complete, the District must take action within 30 days for the Noticed General Permits, 60 days for Standard General Permits, and within 90 days for Individual Permits.
Environmental Resource Permits
Environmental Resource Permits and other regulatory issues within the Florida Keys service area may be addressed through the District's Florida Keys Service Center, or through the Environmental Resource Regulation Department at the District's headquarters in West Palm Beach, Monday through Friday. Please call the South Florida Water Management District's Regulation Department to schedule an appointment at 561.682.6736, or toll-free in Florida at 1.800.432.2045.
Water Use
The District also regulates water uses by requiring permits. The objective of this permitting program is to assure that each use is reasonable and beneficial; will not interfere with any presently existing legal water uses; and is consistent with the public interest. With the exception of domestic uses for potable and home irrigation and water used for fire fighting, Water Use Permits are required to withdraw ground or durface water by major water users such as industries, golf courses, nurseries and landscaping, agriculture, mining, and water utilities. Any water user who uses 100,000 gallons or more per day is required to have an Individual Permit. In most cases, a use of less than 100,000 gallons per day will qualify for a General Water Use Permit, unless the use is within a Reduced Threshold Area (such as Jensen Beach of the Stuart peninsula area).
Well Construction / Abandonment
Proper well construction is necessary to ensure the protection and management of water resources, and the health, safety and general welfare of people in the District. Likewise, well abandonment requires permitting. The District issues these permits to ensure that work is done properly by a licensed water well contractor.
Right of Way
The Right of Way Permit Program is designed to protect the entire population of South Florida. Without the continued efficient operation and maintenance of the District's system of canals and levees, major storm events would produce flooding that could impact vast areas of the District. The SFWMD Right of Way Permit program ensures that the canal rights of way may be used for a variety of appropriate compatible public and private uses while still providing residents and visitors with flood protection.
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.
Big Cypress Basin
Permitting
