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Fort Lauderdale Stormwater Management & Drainage Engineering

Fort Lauderdale drainage projects require coordination with Broward County and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). CivilSmart's Licensed Professional Engineers deliver PE-stamped drainage designs, stormwater management plans, and permit services for Fort Lauderdale properties.

1,000+ Projects 100% Permit Approval Since 2004

Our Engineering Services in Fort Lauderdale

Licensed Professional Engineers delivering PE-stamped drainage designs, stormwater management, and permit services.

Residential Drainage Design

PE-stamped drainage plans for Fort Lauderdale homes. Yard flooding, pool drainage, grading permits, and stormwater management for residential properties.

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Commercial Stormwater

Commercial stormwater management for Fort Lauderdale developments. Site plans, detention/retention design, and SFWMD ERP compliance.

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Permit Services

Full drainage permit management for Fort Lauderdale. SFWMD ERP applications, eTRAKiT coordination, and local permit processing.

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Fort Lauderdale Drainage Challenges

Fort Lauderdale is the largest city subject to Broward County's mandatory 5-year drainage recertification. Chapter 47 provides a dedicated stormwater management ordinance with ULDR 47-21.15 specifics — more detailed than most Florida cities. The city's low coastal elevation and Venice-like canal network create engineering challenges beyond standard stormwater management, including tidal flooding and king tide events.

5-year recertification hub

Fort Lauderdale is the largest city subject to Broward's mandatory 5-year drainage recertification — creating recurring PE certification needs for property owners.

Coastal king tide flooding

Fort Lauderdale's low elevation and tidal flooding create engineering challenges beyond standard stormwater management — designs must account for saltwater intrusion.

Dense canal network

Fort Lauderdale's Venice-like canal system requires drainage designs that integrate with existing waterway infrastructure rather than isolated on-site systems.

Chapter 47 specificity

Fort Lauderdale has its own dedicated stormwater chapter (ULDR 47-21.15) — more detailed regulatory framework than most Florida cities.

Key Requirements

  • Chapter 47 Stormwater Management
  • Broward County 5-year drainage recertification
  • eTRAKiT portal

Fort Lauderdale Drainage Regulations

Governed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)

Permit Thresholds

Chapter 47 stormwater. ULDR 47-21.15.

Local Stormwater Ordinance

Fort Lauderdale enforces its own stormwater ordinance with requirements that may exceed SFWMD minimums. Projects must comply with both local and district standards.

Chapter 47 Stormwater Management

Chapter 47 Stormwater Management

Broward County 5-year drainage recertification

Broward County 5-year drainage recertification

eTRAKiT portal

eTRAKiT portal

Design Storm

25-year, 3-day rainfall

Retention Standard

Chapter 47 stormwater. ULDR 47-21.15.

Permit Portal

eTRAKiT

Stormwater Fee

ERU-based

Special Requirements

  • Chapter 47 Stormwater Management
  • Broward County 5-year drainage recertification
  • eTRAKiT portal

How We Work in Fort Lauderdale

1

Contact & Consult

Describe your Fort Lauderdale drainage challenge. We assess your situation and outline the engineering approach.

2

Site Assessment

We evaluate your property, review existing conditions, survey elevations, and identify regulatory requirements.

3

Design & Engineering

Our licensed professional engineer creates SFWMD-compliant drainage plans, PE-stamped and ready for permit submission.

4

Permit & Approval

We submit to SFWMD and Fort Lauderdale, manage revisions, and deliver your approved drainage permit.

We engineer the solution — you get the approved permit.

Get Your Free Fort Lauderdale Drainage Quote

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Fort Lauderdale Drainage Engineering FAQ

Yes, Fort Lauderdale requires drainage plans for development and redevelopment projects. Fort Lauderdale falls under the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), which administers Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) for projects exceeding general permit thresholds. A Licensed Professional Engineer must prepare and seal drainage designs for permit submission. Permits can be submitted through eTRAKiT. CivilSmart handles the entire permitting process from design through approval.
Residential drainage design in Fort Lauderdale typically ranges from $3,000–$8,000 for standard properties, with complex projects (flood zones, retention/detention systems, large lots) ranging from $5,000–$15,000+. Commercial stormwater management starts at $10,000 and scales with project complexity. Every CivilSmart project begins with a free custom quote based on your specific property and regulatory requirements.
Fort Lauderdale drainage projects must comply with SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) requirements under Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. Additionally, Fort Lauderdale enforces its own local stormwater ordinance that may impose stricter requirements than state minimums. Key local requirements include: Chapter 47 Stormwater Management; Broward County 5-year drainage recertification. CivilSmart's engineers are experienced with all applicable Fort Lauderdale regulations.

Ready to Solve Your Fort Lauderdale Drainage Problem?

Get a free quote from Florida's drainage engineering specialists. PE-stamped plans, full permit coordination, and 100% approval rate.

Licensed Professional Engineers | 1,000+ Projects | 100% Permit Approval | Since 2004