The goal of Permitting and Regulation is to protect Palm Beach
County's natural resources though environmental assessment, permitting, compliance
and land development review activities. Prior to site development, ERM provides
comments to the Planning Zoning and Building Development Review Officer (DRO)
to ensure that the proposed development is consistent with environmental regulations.
ERM also reviews plans submitted to various permit centers operated by the Planning,
Zoning & Building Department providing increased customer service. ERM responds
to citizen complaints and performs environmental inspections to ensure compliance
with related laws, regulations and codes. A Prohibited Vegetation removal incentive
program is also conducted by ERM staff. A number of informational pamphlets
and resource materials are available for your use. The following programs, Ordinances,
Unified Land Development Codes (ULDC), and Florida Administrative Codes (FAC)
are managed by this division:
PETROLEUM STORAGE TANK COMPLIANCE |
Protects the surface and groundwater from petroleum contamination through implementation of the Petroleum Storage Tank Ordinance No. 2003-020 using the inspection process as the primary tool.
Ordinance No. 2003-020 - Palm Beach County Petroleum Storage Systems
Chapter 62-761 FAC - Underground Storage Tank Systems
Chapter 62-762 FAC - Aboveground Storage Tank Systems |
PETROLEUM CONTAMINATION CLEANUP |
Re-mediates contaminated surface and groundwater as identified by the State. Enforces the Palm Beach County Cleanup Ordinance No. 2009-018 and maintains the groundwater modeling used to define the wellfield protection zones, as required by the Palm Beach County Wellfield Protection Ordinance.
Ordinance 2009-018 - Palm Beach County Petroleum Contamination Cleanup Criteria
Chapter 62-770 FAC - Petroleum Contamination Site Cleanup Criteria
Chapter 62-777 FAC - Contaminant Cleanup Target Levels |
| WELLFIELD PROTECTION |
Protects the water resources through implementation of the Unified Land Development Code (ULDC), Article 14.B, Wellfield Protection and participating in pollution prevention activities.
ULDC, Article 14.B., Wellfield Protection |
| SURFACE WATER QUALITY PROTECTION |
Protects the water resources through water quality monitoring of the County's fresh and estuarine water bodies, implementation of the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Ordinance No. 2004-050, and oversight of the County's National Pollution Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES).
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Ordinance No. 2004-050
NPDES [External Link] |
| EXCAVATION AND LITTORAL PLANTING |
Protects the water resources for newly constructed lakes and mines through implementation of the ULDC Article 4.D Excavation, as amended by Ordinance 2008-037, to require "planted littoral shelves" which provide for erosion control, wildlife habitat and enhance water quality.
Ordinance 2008-037
ULDC, Article 4.D., Excavation |
| WATER AND IRRIGATION CONSERVATION |
Protects the water resources from wasteful irrigation practices through the Water Conservation and Irrigation Ordinance No. 93-3 that
restricts use of water for irrigation between the hours of 5:00 p.m.
Ordinance No. 93-3 |
| DEVELOPMENT REVIEW |
Supports the land development process to ensure proposed projects are in compliance with environmental codes above, ULDC Article 14.C, Vegetation Preservation and Protection, and Article 14.A, Sea Turtle Protection.
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PROTECTION OF NATIVE VEGETATION and
PROHIBITED INVASIVE NON-NATIVE VEGETATION |
Protects the native vegetation ecosystems from unnecessary destruction through issuing approvals subject to ULDC Article 14.C. Vegetation Preservation and Protection and ULDC Article 14.D Prohibited Invasive Non-Native Vegetation Removal.
ULDC, Article 14.C, Vegetation Preservation and Protection
ULDC, Article 14.D, Prohibited Invasive Non-Native Vegetation |
| SEA TURTLE PROTECTION |
Protects sea turtles and their hatchlings that are often adversely impacted during their nesting activities from coastal construction and artificial lighting.
ULDC, Article 14.A., Sea Turtle Protection & Sand Preservation |
EQUESTRIAN USE PERMITS
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| Interested in riding in a natural setting? Click above to learn more about trail guides and obtaining a permit. |
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS |
ULDC, Article 1, Definitions
Development of Man Made Lakes in the Surficial Aquifer System in Palm Beach County
Creation and Maintenance of Planted Littoral Zone
Protect Our Surface Waters-How Homeowners Can Help
PBC Inventory of Environmental Sustainability Initiatives |
Coastal