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Palm Beach County PB-O-128 Drainage Requirements Guide

Everything you need to know about Palm Beach County's drainage engineering ordinance — who it applies to, exemptions, PE requirements, and compliance steps.

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PB-O-128 Quick Reference

Ordinance
PB-O-128 (ULDC Article 11)
Jurisdiction
Unincorporated Palm Beach County
Key Threshold
20 cubic yards/acre in 24 months
PE Requirement
PE-stamped plans for non-exempt projects
Dual Jurisdiction
Also requires SFWMD ERP (state level)
Recertification
5-year PE recertification required

What Is Ordinance PB-O-128?

PB-O-128 is part of Palm Beach County’s Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), specifically Article 11. It governs lot filling, grading, and drainage engineering requirements for properties in unincorporated Palm Beach County. The ordinance ensures that development activity does not adversely affect drainage patterns, neighboring properties, or the county’s stormwater infrastructure.

The ordinance applies to any lot filling or grading activity that exceeds the minor fill exemption threshold. For most residential and commercial projects that involve changes to site grading or impervious surface coverage, PB-O-128 requires professional engineering analysis and PE-stamped drainage plans submitted to the Palm Beach County Engineering Division.

PB-O-128 is one of the most specific county-level drainage ordinances in Florida, reflecting Palm Beach County’s flat terrain, high water table, and susceptibility to flooding from both rainfall events and seasonal water table fluctuations.

Who Needs to Comply With PB-O-128?

PB-O-128 applies broadly to property development activities in unincorporated Palm Beach County. The following parties typically need to comply:

  • Homeowners adding fill material, regrading, or modifying drainage on properties in unincorporated Palm Beach County
  • Builders and developers constructing new residential or commercial structures
  • Pool contractors whose installations affect site drainage patterns
  • Property owners filling low-lying areas or modifying existing drainage patterns
  • Any project exceeding 20 cubic yards of fill per acre in a 24-month period

Minor Fill Exemption

Projects using 20 cubic yards or less per acre within a 24-month rolling period may qualify for the minor fill exemption and may not require a full drainage plan. However, verification with the PBC Engineering Division is recommended, as site-specific conditions may still trigger compliance requirements.

PE Stamp & Engineering Requirements

PB-O-128 requires PE-stamped drainage plans for projects that exceed the minor fill exemption. These plans must be prepared by a Florida Licensed Professional Engineer and typically include:

  • 1 Pre-development and post-development drainage analysis — quantifying how the project changes drainage patterns
  • 2 Grading and elevation plans — showing proposed site contours and drainage flow paths
  • 3 Stormwater calculations demonstrating no adverse impact to neighboring properties
  • 4 Compliance with PBC Engineering Division standards — meeting county-specific design criteria
  • 5 Coordination with SFWMD if Environmental Resource Permit thresholds are triggered

The PE stamp certifies that the drainage design meets all applicable county standards and will not cause adverse drainage impacts to the site or surrounding properties.

Dual Jurisdiction: PB-O-128 and SFWMD

Palm Beach County falls entirely within the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) territory. This means many projects must comply with both PB-O-128 at the county level and SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) requirements at the state level.

SFWMD ERP thresholds are triggered when projects involve:

  • Significant changes to impervious surface coverage
  • Construction in or near wetlands or other surface waters
  • Modifications to existing surface water management systems
  • Projects exceeding SFWMD-defined area or impact thresholds

CivilSmart coordinates both jurisdictions simultaneously

Our engineers evaluate PB-O-128 county requirements and SFWMD ERP requirements in parallel, preparing a single coordinated engineering package that satisfies both agencies — streamlining the dual-permit process.

For detailed SFWMD ERP requirements, see our SFWMD ERP Permit Guide.

5-Year Drainage Recertification

PB-O-128 includes a 5-year recertification requirement for drainage systems. Property owners must have their drainage systems inspected and recertified by a Licensed Professional Engineer every five years to ensure ongoing compliance and system performance.

The recertification process involves:

PE Inspection

Licensed Professional Engineer inspects the drainage system on-site

Performance Verification

Confirm the system functions as originally designed

Documentation

Document any modifications or repairs needed

County Submission

Submit recertification report to PBC Engineering Division

How CivilSmart Helps With PB-O-128 Compliance

Our Licensed Professional Engineers have extensive experience with Palm Beach County drainage requirements.

Engineering Analysis

Pre-development and post-development drainage analysis per PB-O-128 requirements, including stormwater calculations and impact assessments.

PE-Stamped Plans

Full drainage plans with PE stamp for Palm Beach County Engineering Division submission, meeting all PB-O-128 standards.

Permit Coordination

We handle PBC Engineering Division submissions and SFWMD ERP coordination simultaneously, streamlining dual-jurisdiction compliance.

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PB-O-128 Frequently Asked Questions

Projects using 20 cubic yards or less of fill per acre within a 24-month rolling period may qualify for the minor fill exemption. This means a full PE-stamped drainage plan may not be required — but verification with the Palm Beach County Engineering Division is always recommended, as site-specific conditions may still trigger compliance requirements.
PB-O-128 applies specifically to unincorporated Palm Beach County. Incorporated municipalities such as West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Delray Beach have their own drainage ordinances and building department requirements. However, all areas within Palm Beach County fall under SFWMD jurisdiction for Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs).
Potentially yes. Palm Beach County is entirely within SFWMD jurisdiction, so projects may trigger both county-level PB-O-128 requirements and state-level SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit requirements. CivilSmart engineers evaluate both jurisdictions simultaneously and coordinate dual-permit compliance to streamline the process.
Engineering costs for PB-O-128 compliance vary by project scope and complexity — factors include property size, existing drainage conditions, extent of proposed fill/grading, and whether SFWMD ERP coordination is needed. Contact CivilSmart for a customized quote based on your specific project.
Non-compliance with PB-O-128 can result in code enforcement action by Palm Beach County, including stop-work orders, fines, and requirements to remediate drainage impacts at the property owner’s expense. In some cases, non-compliant grading or filling can cause adverse drainage impacts to neighboring properties, leading to additional liability.
PB-O-128’s 5-year recertification requires a Licensed Professional Engineer to inspect the drainage system, verify it functions as originally designed, document any modifications or needed repairs, and submit a recertification report to Palm Beach County. This ensures ongoing compliance and long-term system performance.

Need PB-O-128 Compliance Help?

Our Licensed Professional Engineers have extensive experience with Palm Beach County drainage requirements. Get a free, no-obligation quote for your project.

Get Your Free Quote
Or call: (305) 216-6944

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