Drainage Engineering in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County property owners face specific drainage and stormwater requirements governed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). CivilSmart's Licensed Professional Engineers provide PE-stamped drainage plans, stormwater management designs, and full permit coordination for residential and commercial projects throughout Palm Beach County.
Our Engineering Services in Palm Beach County
Licensed Professional Engineers delivering PE-stamped drainage designs, stormwater management, and permit services.
Residential Drainage Design
PE-stamped drainage plans for Palm Beach County homes. Yard flooding, pool drainage, grading permits, and stormwater management for residential properties.
Learn MoreCommercial Stormwater
Commercial stormwater management for Palm Beach County developments. Site plans, detention/retention design, and SFWMD ERP compliance.
Learn MorePermit Services
Full drainage permit management for Palm Beach County. SFWMD ERP applications, pbcgov.org/epermits (ePZB) coordination, and local permit processing.
Learn MoreDrainage Challenges in Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County is the most complex jurisdiction in Florida for drainage permitting. Property owners must navigate coordination with PBC, SFWMD, and up to four special drainage districts (SIRWCD, LWDD, CBWCD, ITID). South Florida's near-zero gradient and high water table mean engineered drainage is essential, not optional — and PB-O-128 requires drainage plans for virtually all fill and grading activity.
Multi-agency navigation
Palm Beach requires coordination with PBC, SFWMD, and up to 4 special drainage districts (SIRWCD, LWDD, CBWCD, ITID) — the most complex multi-jurisdictional layering in Florida.
PB-O-128 compliance
This signature ordinance requires drainage plans for virtually all fill/grading activity. Minor fill exempt at 20 cu yd/acre/24 months; everything else requires a permit.
Flat terrain and high water table
South Florida's near-zero gradient means engineered drainage is essential. On-site retention is required for all new construction, with berms along lot lines regardless of flood zone.
Sea-level rise vulnerability
Coastal Palm Beach properties face increasing drainage challenges from groundwater rise, requiring forward-looking engineering solutions.
Key Requirements
- PB-O-128 (Lot Filling and Grading Activity policy)
- 5-year PE recertification of private stormwater systems
- Multi-district coordination (SFWMD + SIRWCD + LWDD + CBWCD + ITID)
- ePZB ePR online drainage review system (since Aug 2020)
- Berms required along lot lines regardless of flood zone
- On-site retention required for all new construction
Palm Beach County Drainage Regulations
Governed by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
Permit Thresholds
Minor fill exempt: 20 cu yd/acre/24 months. All other fill/grading requires permit.
Local Stormwater Ordinance
Palm Beach County enforces its own stormwater ordinance with requirements that may exceed SFWMD minimums. Projects must comply with both local and district standards.
PB-O-128
PB-O-128 (Lot Filling and Grading Activity policy)
5-year PE recertification of private stormwater systems
5-year PE recertification of private stormwater systems
Multi-district coordination
Multi-district coordination (SFWMD + SIRWCD + LWDD + CBWCD + ITID)
ePZB ePR online drainage review system
ePZB ePR online drainage review system (since Aug 2020)
Design Storm
25-year, 3-day rainfall
Retention Standard
Minor fill exempt: 20 cu yd/acre/24 months. All other fill/grading requires permit.
Permit Portal
pbcgov.org/epermits (ePZB)
Special Requirements
- PB-O-128 (Lot Filling and Grading Activity policy)
- 5-year PE recertification of private stormwater systems
- Multi-district coordination (SFWMD + SIRWCD + LWDD + CBWCD + ITID)
- ePZB ePR online drainage review system (since Aug 2020)
- Berms required along lot lines regardless of flood zone
- On-site retention required for all new construction
How We Work in Palm Beach County
Contact & Consult
Describe your Palm Beach County drainage challenge. We assess your situation and outline the engineering approach.
Site Assessment
We evaluate your property, review existing conditions, survey elevations, and identify regulatory requirements.
Design & Engineering
Our licensed professional engineer creates SFWMD-compliant drainage plans, PE-stamped and ready for permit submission.
Permit & Approval
We submit to SFWMD and Palm Beach County, manage revisions, and deliver your approved drainage permit.
Contact & Consult
Describe your Palm Beach County drainage challenge. We assess your situation and outline the engineering approach.
Site Assessment
We evaluate your property, review existing conditions, survey elevations, and identify regulatory requirements.
Design & Engineering
Our licensed professional engineer creates SFWMD-compliant drainage plans, PE-stamped and ready for permit submission.
Permit & Approval
We submit to SFWMD and Palm Beach County, manage revisions, and deliver your approved drainage permit.
Contact & Consult
Describe your Palm Beach County drainage challenge. We assess your situation and outline the engineering approach.
Site Assessment
We evaluate your property, review existing conditions, survey elevations, and identify regulatory requirements.
Design & Engineering
Our licensed professional engineer creates SFWMD-compliant drainage plans, PE-stamped and ready for permit submission.
Permit & Approval
We submit to SFWMD and Palm Beach County, manage revisions, and deliver your approved drainage permit.
We engineer the solution — you get the approved permit.
Get Your Free Palm Beach County Drainage Quote
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Palm Beach County Drainage Engineering FAQ
Do I need a drainage permit in Palm Beach County?
How much does drainage engineering cost in Palm Beach County?
What drainage regulations apply in Palm Beach County?
Cities We Serve in Palm Beach County
CivilSmart provides drainage engineering across Palm Beach County, including the following cities and communities.
Ready to Solve Your Palm Beach County Drainage Problem?
Get a free quote from Florida's drainage engineering specialists. PE-stamped plans, full permit coordination, and 100% approval rate.
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