Forms, Applications & Resources

Wetland And Dock Information

Wetlands 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 Econ River Basin Zone (ERPA) or WRPA.)
The remaining wetland area may be required to have a conservation easement placed over it dedicated to either 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, Econ River Basin or outside of the Urban Service Area. Outside of the Urban Service Area setbacks of all structures from wetlands are 25-foot minimum, 50-foot average.
Building setbacks from water bodies are measured from the ordinary high water elevation.
Setback of pools from water (this includes wet retention ponds): 30 feet from ordinary high water 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.
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 are appropriate in the Econ and Lake Jesup basins and 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)

Please note:

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

Building within the Econ River Basin Zone (ERA) - 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.
There is a Riparian Habitat Protection Zone mandated by FDEP. Building within this zone may require mitigation and will require permitting through FDEP.
Proposed development within 2000 foot of the stream’s edge 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.