permits made simple You’ve just recently purchased a piece of property along the majestic Suwannee River in North Florida. It’s always been your dream to have riverfront property, and now, after years of hard work and putting money aside, it’s happened! Congratulations! You’re excited, but the work is not done—there are improvements you want to make on the property before it’s perfect, and you can already visualize where that deck and boardwalk are going to go. You have the materials, you have the supplies, and you have the contractor ready to go to work. But are you missing something? If you don’t have a permit, you’ve skipped a pretty important step! But there is no reason to be concerned—the Suwannee River Water Management District’s Permitting Office is ready to make that process an easy one, so you can get your project completed in a timely fashion while also preserving North Florida’s scenic rivers for generations to come. What most people don’t realize is, even if you are the owner of the property, there are certain land changes and
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improvements that require permits based on your location. If your property is located adjacent to a river, lake, or spring, or if there are nearby wetlands— common in this part of Florida—there may be a few extra steps needed before you start construction! But where do you start? What questions do you need to ask? What even is a wetland and why is that important? Here are some tips you can use to make sure you are following the rules of the state and also working toward your overall goal: your project’s completion! Is your property located in a floodway or floodplain? Do you even know? The easiest way to check is by visiting https:// www.srwmdfloodreport.com/ to verify your property’s location. If you’re near the Alapaha, Aucilla, Santa Fe, Suwannee, or Withlacoochee Rivers, this is a good first step before you start clearing or putting nails to wood. If your property is in a floodway or floodplain, you may need a permit for work and improvements on your property. These improvements include new structures, decks, porches, docks,
driveways, boat ramps, storage sheds, and even replacement or improvements to existing structures. These improvements can include excavating or filling, land clearing, land development, or removing vegetation. It’s always better to check first before you start your work rather than finding out you have a violation after the fact! Do you have a wetland or other surface water on your property? These usually include swamps, marshes, bogs, sloughs, lakes, ponds, and similar areas, and many wetlands have fluctuating water levels, which means they can sometimes be dry. These are important—and protected—as they provide essential fish and wildlife habitat, flood control, recreational and aesthetic value, and improve water quality by acting as a natural filter.
