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SWFWMD Permit Authority

Southwest Florida Water Management District Permit Guide

CivilSmart's Licensed Professional Engineers navigate Southwest Florida Water Management District ERP permit requirements for residential and commercial drainage projects across 16 Florida counties. From design through approval — we engineer your solution.

16 Counties
60-90 days (longer in sensitive basins)
PE Stamp Required
Get Your Free SWFWMD Permit Quote (305) 216-6944

SWFWMD ERP Permit Requirements

Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) requirements for projects within Southwest Florida Water Management District jurisdiction.

Design Storm

25-year, 24-hour (open basins); 100-year, 24-hour (closed basins)

PE Stamp

Licensed Professional Engineer stamp required for all ERP applications. CivilSmart provides PE-sealed drainage designs.

Processing Time

60-90 days (longer in sensitive basins)

Permit Fees

See statewide schedule

Permit Portal

SWFWMD permit applications are submitted via flwaterpermits.com (DEP Business Portal). CivilSmart handles the entire submission process — from initial application through final approval.

What Makes SWFWMD Unique

Southwest Florida Water Management District has specific requirements that distinguish it from other Florida water management districts. Understanding these is critical for project compliance.

Peak discharge control emphasis (vs. SFWMD volume recovery)

Higher water quality treatment (1.5 inches vs. SFWMD 1 inch)

Northern Tampa Bay Basin — strictest drawdown criteria in state

Conservation easements as ERP compliance tool

Sensitive Karst Areas (AHVII Section 5.10)

Closed basin dual rate-and-volume control

SWFWMD Service Areas

CivilSmart provides drainage engineering and permit services across Southwest Florida Water Management District territory.

Counties

Hillsborough County Priority Pinellas County Priority Manatee County Sarasota County Polk County Pasco County Lake County DeSoto County Levy County Hernando County Sumter County

Cities

Tampa Priority St. Petersburg Lakeland Clearwater

Additional SWFWMD Counties Served

CivilSmart serves all 16 counties within Southwest Florida Water Management District territory, including these additional counties:

Marion County Citrus County Hardee County

Need a drainage engineer in any of these counties? Get a free quote — we serve all SWFWMD jurisdictions.

SWFWMD Drainage Engineering FAQ

The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) administers Environmental Resource Permits (ERPs) for stormwater and drainage projects. The design storm standard is 25-year, 24-hour (open basins); 100-year, 24-hour (closed basins). A Licensed Professional Engineer must seal all permit applications. Processing typically takes 60-90 days (longer in sensitive basins). Permit fees range from See statewide schedule. CivilSmart handles the entire ERP process from design through approval.
SWFWMD permit fees range from See statewide schedule, depending on project size and type. In addition to permit fees, engineering costs for residential projects typically range from $3,000–$8,000, with complex projects from $5,000–$15,000+. Commercial stormwater engineering starts at $10,000. CivilSmart provides free quotes that include both engineering and estimated permit fees.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District covers 16 Florida counties. CivilSmart provides drainage engineering services throughout the entire SWFWMD territory. We have dedicated service pages for Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, Manatee County, Sarasota County, Polk County, and 6 more counties. Contact us for a free quote in any SWFWMD jurisdiction.

Need a SWFWMD Drainage Permit?

CivilSmart's Licensed Professional Engineers handle Southwest Florida Water Management District ERP permits from design through approval. 100% permit approval rate.

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

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