Wetland and Dock Information

Wetlands and Surface Waters; impacts require a state permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). However, if the parcel of land is within the Wekiva River Protection Area (WRPA), permitting must go through St. John's River Water Management District (SJRWMD). County building permits are also required.

Please note:

• A lot may be built on (if a legal/official parcel) even if the entire lot is a wetland.

• Avoid impacting wetlands if possible — if not, minimize impacts as much as possible..

• Wetlands less than 1/2 acre total size and isolated from other wetland systems may not require mitigation but still needs permitting through FDEP or SJRWMD. (This does not apply to wetlands located within the Econlockhatchee River Protection Overlay (ECON) or WRPA.

• The remaining wetland area may be required to have a conservation easement placed over it dedicated to any combination of the following: Seminole County; FDEP; or SJRWMD.

•  Look at placement of structures in relation to the wetland area and try to maintain as much integrity of the wetland system as possible (i.e. move to the location that least impedes/interrupts the wholeness or flow of the wetland system.)

• When you apply for permitting to FDEP or SJRWMD request as much area anticipated for all potential structures (even future out-buildings), including any walkways and the County’s required wetland setback (see below) that might be needed for access to other parts of the property.

• Docks require a building permit and approval from the County, but may also require permits from FDEP or SJRWMD.

• Must have FDEP or SJRWMD permit prior to County issuing a building permit.

• General setbacks of all structures from wetlands are 15-foot minimum, 25-foot average, unless located in the WRPA or the Econ. Within WRPA or the Econ, setbacks of all structures from wetlands are 25-foot minimum, 50-foot average.

• Building setbacks from natural water bodies are measured from the normal high water line.

• Setback of pools from natural water bodies: 30 feet from the normal high water line to pool’s water edge or 25 feet to screen enclosure. If you think that the pool will be enclosed in the future, be aware of the setback requirement for the screen enclosure. This requirement is to preserve the neighbor’s view of the water. SCLDC 30.1345.1

• Please be advised inter-agency coordination is necessary for projects located in the WRPA. See the District Website,  www.sjrwmd.com.

• No loss of wetlands will be permitted within the Wekiva River Protection Area.

Building within the Wekiva River Protection Area Overlay (WRPA) - LDC Chapter 30 Part 58 ( HTTPS://WWW.MUNICODE.COM/LIBRARY/FL/SEMINOLE_COUNTY/CODES/LAND_DEVELOPMENT_CODE?NODEID=SECOLADECO_CH30ZORE_PT58WERIPREMESOVZO)

• There is a 200 foot County no-clearing zone from the stream’s edge of the Wekiva River (CP FLU 1.9).

• There is a Riparian Habitat Protection Zone mandated by SJRWMD. Building within this zone may require mitigation and will require permitting through the SJRWMD.

• There is a 50 foot average, 25 foot minimum undisturbed setback from all wetlands and 100-year flood plains. No development activities, including fill placement, will be allowed in wetlands or the 100 year flood plain.

• A minimum of 50 percent of trees must be preserved (applies to all properties located within the WRPA and outside of the East Lake Sylvan Transitional Area). Replacement trees must be 4" caliper minimum. 

• Protection of listed species shall be accomplished through on-site preservation or through relocation within the Wekiva River Protection Area.

Building within the Econlockhatchee River Protection Overlay - LDC Chapter 30 Part 57 (https://www.municode.com/library/fl/seminole_county/codes/land_development_code?nodeId=SECOLADECO_CH30ZORE_PT57ECRIPROVSTCL)

Please Note:

• The Econlockhatchee River Corridor Protection Zone includes all property within 1,100 feet landward of stream’s edge of Econlockhatchee and Little Econlockhatchee, and within 550 feet landward of stream’s edge of tributaries. No development is permitted within 550 feet of the channels of the Big and Little Econlockhatchee Rivers except for passive recreation and wetland creation. 

• There is a Riparian Habitat Protection Zone mandated by SJRWMD. Building within this zone may require mitigation and will require permitting through SJRWMD.

• Proposed development within 2000 feet of the stream’s edge of the Big Econlockhatchee River and its tributaries must submit a letter from the Florida Division of Historical Resources or qualified archaeologist describing the potential for any archaeological or historical resources to occur on the project site.

• Rare upland habitats (scrub, longleaf pine – xeric oak, sand pine scrub, xeric oak, and live oak hammock) shall be preserved.

Who to Call:

Wekiva River Protection Area (WRPA) permitting is through St Johns River Water Management District. All other wetland permits are through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

SJRWMD (Within WRPA) and within District authorized Subdivisions

www.sjrwmd.com

Verification of Wetland Boundaries and Environmental Permitting

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . (407) 659-4800

FDEP PARCELS (Outside of WRPA) and not within District authorized Subdivisions

www.dep.state.fl.us  . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .  (407) 897-4100

Additional Information:

Single-Family Residential Wetlands and Surface Water Review (PDF)

GIS Maps:

Wekiva River Area Act

Wekiva River Area Fact Sheet 2024

Wekiva River Area Consistency Form 2024

 Do you live on a lake?  Click here and  here for information on Surface Water Quality and Lake Management.