Cleared
Registry

Land & Water

Grading / fill / site excavation (not a pool)

Bringing in fill, regrading a lot, digging a lake or pond.

inferredHB 803: n/areviewed never

Who can pull the permit

  • SPEC-EXCAVATIONExcavation / Land Clearing (county specialty — Collier retired this category 7/1/2025)
  • CUCCertified Underground Utility & Excavation Contractor
  • CGCCertified General Contractor
  • CBCCertified Building Contractor
  • CRCCertified Residential Contractor
  • NONENo contractor license
  • OWNER-BUILDEROwner-occupied 1–2 family (FS 489.103(7))

Decision — first matching row wins

#WhenPermitTypeReason
1lake is yesyesExcavation Permit (county) + SFWMD ERPExcavating a lake/pond is a regulated excavation in both counties and typically requires SFWMD environmental resource permitting.
2cubic_yards > 500yesSite Fill / Grading PermitLarger fill/grading volumes require a site permit (drainage, floodplain compensation).
3otherwiseconditionalMinor grading often exemptMinor lot regrading incidental to a permitted job is usually covered by that permit; stand-alone fill in a flood zone may need floodplain review. Reviewer to confirm thresholds.

Inputs the rule needs

  • cubic_yardsVolume moved (cu yd)
  • lakeCreating a lake / pond / retention area?

Documents (base)

  1. Owner authorization / signed permit application (owner or agent signature, notarized where the authority requires)
  2. Grading / drainage plan
  3. Haul route / ROW permits if applicable
  4. Contractor registration current with the county (license, GL insurance, workers' comp or exemption on file)

Sources