An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is required for development or construction activities to reduce increased flooding, protect the water quality of Florida's lakes and streams from stormwater pollution, and protect wetlands and other surface waters. The District regulates commercial, agricultural, governmental, institutional and residential developments. To view the complete list of rules regarding ERPs, please visit 62-330, 18-20, 18-21, and 40B-400.

Click here and use the search button at the top of the page to check permit application status using the interactive map, application number, or owner name.

Which state Environmental agency should I talk to about my permit

• https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/DocumentCenter/View/18430/Which-state-environmental-agency

Permitting Timeline

• https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/DocumentCenter/View/18434/Permitting-Timeline-Guide

Wetlands FAQ’s

• https://www.mysuwanneeriver.com/DocumentCenter/View/18429/Wetlands

How to Apply

Pre-Application Meeting

Scheduling a pre-application meeting (“pre-app”) with the District staff is highly recommended. Pre-apps are free and can be performed at any time during the project design process. Pre-apps save time and often result in a quicker permit processing time. Project specifics, requirements and timelines can be discussed during this meeting. Staff will answer questions, offer suggestions, and propose alternatives to potential applicants. To schedule a pre-application meeting request, please download and fill out this form /DocumentCenter/View/18655/Pre-App-Form and email it to resourcemanagement@srwmd.org.

The best part is that it's FREE and SAVES TIME with the permitting process!

Permit Types

An ERP is issued for a specific purpose and the project must be constructed in accordance with the permit description and associated permit conditions. ERP permitted activities may include, but are not limited to, commercial and roadway construction, residential subdivisions, dredging and filling in wetlands or surface waters, construction of docks, boat ramps and boardwalks, constructing flood protection facilities, storm water containment and treatment, site grading, building dams, impoundments or reservoirs. Application fees for ERP’s can be found in rule 40B-1.706, F.A.C. ERP’s have a limited duration (usually five years); and, once the construction activities are successfully completed, the permit must be converted to a perpetual operation and maintenance phase. If wetlands or other surface water impacts cannot be avoided or minimized, mitigation will likely be required to offset adverse impacts. A brief description of the different types of ERP authorizations include:

• No Permit Required
  • Activities that qualify for this authorization are considered small and fall below the thresholds set forth in rule 62-330.020, F.A.C. These activities cannot have wetland impacts and may commence without written authorization from the District. If an applicant requests written verification of whether a project qualifies for a NPR, District staff can provide a NPR letter for a $100 permit fee.
• Exemption
  • Activities that qualify for this authorization meet the specific criteria set forth in rules 62-330.051, F.A.C. and 62-330.0511, F.A.C. These activities cannot have wetland impacts and some may commence without written authorization from the District. If an applicant requests written verification of whether a project qualifies for an exemption, District staff can provide an exemption letter for a $100 permit fee.
• 10-2 Self Certification
  • Activities that qualify for this self-certification authorization meet the specific criteria set forth in subsection 403.814(12), F.S. These activities cannot have wetland impacts and must receive the permit prior to the start of construction. Applications for 10-2 authorizations are made through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Business Portal and verified by the District. There is no application fee for this authorization.

  • To apply, visit the DEP Business Portal, click "Apply," then "Build," and then "10/2 Self-Certification."

• General
  • Activities that qualify for a general authorization are usually small and fall below the thresholds found in rules 62-330.405, F.A.C. through 62-330.501, F.A.C. Some of the activities can involve wetland impacts to connected wetlands and must receive a permit prior to commencement.
• Individual
  • Activities that exceed any of the thresholds found in Chapter 40B-4, F.A.C., or exceed the thresholds found in rules 62-330.405, F.A.C. through 62-330.501, F.A.C., must receive an individual authorization. These activities must receive a permit prior to commencement.
• Conceptual
  • Activities that are large or complex but have not had all the details worked out may be good candidates for a conceptual permit. These permits do not authorize construction, but they can determine certain aspects of a project such as special permitting conditions, wetland lines, extent of floodplains, or the amount of impervious, while other details are still uncertain.
• Wetland Determination
  • District staff can provide both informal and formal wetland determinations. The difference is that formal determinations are binding and informal ones are not. Neither determination authorizes construction.

Submerged State Lands

Proposed activities located along, adjacent to, or within Sovereign Submerged Lands (SSL), as defined in rule 18-21.021, F.A.C., may require an authorization from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The District can assist you with this determination and process most minor SSL activities requiring this authorization.

Submitting an Application

When the design of the project is complete and you are ready to submit to the District, use the E-Permits website. The E-permitting site will require you to create an account. Once an account has been created, you can submit all information, documents and fees that are required for the ERP program. The E-Permitting page has all fillable forms in the system. Any form you will need can be completed in E-permitting. If E-permitting is not an option, visit our Environmental Resource Permitting Documents page to view and download or print Environmental Resource Permit forms such as the Environmental Resource Permit Application, As-Built forms, Construction Commencement Notice, and others. However, the District highly recommends utilizing the E-Permitting system, as it speeds up the permitting process.

Accelerated Permit Review

The District offers an accelerated permit review that reduces application review timeframes and permit issuance to two business days. The APR process begins prior to application submittal and the service is only applicable to certain activities. Please contact us to see if you qualify. In addition to the regular application fee, there is a $1,000 fee for an accelerated review. For more information about the program, please contact a member of the ERP review team in the Division of Resource Management at 386-362-1001 or by email.

View Issued Permits

Environmental Resource Permits issued by this District may be viewed in the E-permitting system. Environmental Resource Permits issued by all five water management districts and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection may be viewed on the Florida Water Permits website.

Activities impacting wetlands may also require an authorization from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). It is your responsibility to apply separately to the USACE using the appropriate federal application form for any activity under federal jurisdiction. Please contact your local USACE office if you have questions about this authorization.