How to Fill Out Florida DEP Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) + FAQs

The Florida Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is the state authorization that any person, business, or government agency must obtain before constructing, altering, operating, maintaining, abandoning, or removing a stormwater management system, dam, impoundment, reservoir, dredge or fill activity in surface waters or wetlands, or any work that connects to or affects waters of the state under Part IV of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes. The program is implemented through Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. and is jointly administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the five Water Management Districts (WMDs) under formal Operating Agreements.

Florida processes well over 25,000 ERP-related authorizations each year across FDEP and the five WMDs combined, and the agencies routinely report that more than half of incoming applications are issued a Request for Additional Information (RAI) because of avoidable errors on the application form, missing engineering exhibits, or incomplete proof of ownership. A single missed checkbox can add 60 to 90 days to your project timeline and cost thousands of dollars in extra engineering fees.

In this guide you will learn:

• 📋 Which ERP form fits your project (Self-Certification, Noticed General, Standard General, or Individual)
• 🏛️ How FDEP and the five Water Management Districts split jurisdiction under the Operating Agreements
• ✏️ How to complete every section of Form 62-330.060(1) line by line
• 💵 What you will pay under the Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. fee schedule and how to avoid late or denied submissions
• 🛟 How to survive the 30-day completeness review, the RAI clock, and the public-notice phase without losing your construction window

What the ERP Is and Who Must File It

The Environmental Resource Permit is Florida’s combined wetland-resource and stormwater permit. It merged the old Management and Storage of Surface Waters (MSSW) permit and the Wetland Resource (Dredge and Fill) permit into one program in 1995, and it was unified statewide under Chapter 62-330, F.A.C. on October 1, 2013. The rule is supported by the two-volume ERP Applicant’s Handbook, where Volume I contains statewide criteria and Volume II contains region-specific stormwater design criteria adopted by each WMD and FDEP.

You must file an ERP if your project will dredge or fill in wetlands or other surface waters, build a stormwater management system that serves more than a single-family residence, construct a dock or seawall, build a dam or impoundment, alter the topography of land in a way that changes drainage, or connect to an existing stormwater system. Single-family homeowners building a private residential dock under 1,000 square feet in non-Outstanding Florida Waters often qualify for Self-Certification under Rule 62-330.417, F.A.C., while larger projects climb the ladder to a Noticed General, Standard General, or Individual ERP.

Jurisdiction is split geographically. FDEP handles most projects in the Northwest Florida Water Management District service area and certain industrial categories statewide (mining, power plants, solid waste), while the South Florida, Southwest Florida, St. Johns River, Suwannee River, and Northwest Florida WMDs handle most other projects in their boundaries. Confirm your reviewing agency through the Operating Agreements before you submit, because filing with the wrong agency restarts the clock.

The statutory deadline anchor is the 30-day completeness review under Section 120.60, F.S., and unauthorized construction without an ERP can trigger enforcement under Section 373.430, F.S., with civil penalties up to $15,000 per day per violation and an order to remove unauthorized structures at the violator’s expense.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gather every item below before you open the form. Walking into the DEP Business Portal without these in hand is the single biggest reason applications stall.

• Recorded deed or proof of ownership. The agency cross-checks the legal description against county property appraiser records. A missing deed triggers an immediate RAI and stops review.
• Signed and sealed engineering plans. Stormwater systems serving more than a single-family lot require drawings sealed by a Florida-licensed Professional Engineer under Chapter 471, F.S.. Unsealed plans are rejected as incomplete.
• Wetland delineation. A formal delineation under Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. using the Florida Unified Wetland Delineation Methodology, signed by a qualified scientist, is mandatory for any project touching wetlands.
• Survey with elevations. A boundary and topographic survey tied to NAVD 88 datum lets reviewers verify floodplain compensation and stormwater storage volumes.
• Stormwater calculations. Pre- versus post-development runoff, water quality treatment volume, and discharge rates per the relevant WMD volume of the Applicant’s Handbook.
• Mitigation plan or mitigation bank credit reservation letter. Required when wetland impacts exceed de minimis thresholds under Section 373.4136, F.S..
• Sovereignty Submerged Lands authorization. Projects on state-owned bottom lands need a separate authorization under Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., filed concurrently using the supplemental form.
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordination. Most ERP projects are processed concurrently under the State 404 Program or with the Jacksonville District USACE for federal Section 404 review.
• Photographs and location map. Color photos of the site from at least four cardinal directions plus a clearly labeled USGS quad-based location map.
• Authorized agent letter. If a consultant signs for you, attach a notarized agent authorization or the application is rejected on signature grounds.
• Application fee. Calculated under Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C., payable to FDEP or the relevant WMD. Pay the wrong agency and the file sits idle.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

All current ERP forms are incorporated by reference in Rule 62-330.060, F.A.C. and posted on the FDEP Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources Coordination forms page. The master Individual and Standard General application is Form 62-330.060(1), and short-form options include the Self-Certification for Single-Family Dock or Pier and the various Noticed General Permit forms in Rule 62-330.402, F.A.C..

Always confirm the revision date printed on the bottom of the form before you fill it out. Filing an outdated revision is a completeness defect, even if every answer is correct. The current Section A master form carries an incorporation date tied to the most recent rule amendment, which you can verify on the Florida Administrative Register by searching the rule number.

The fastest filing channel is the DEP Business Portal, which routes the application to the correct FDEP district or to the receiving WMD automatically. The South Florida Water Management District uses its own ePermitting Portal, and SWFWMD uses the SWFWMD ePermitting site. Paper submissions are still accepted at FDEP district offices and WMD service centers, but they extend the completeness review because intake staff must scan and log every page by hand.

If you are unsure of jurisdiction, request a free pre-application meeting through the receiving agency. Pre-application meetings are not required, but skipping them on a project larger than five acres or one with any wetland impact is a top reason for protracted RAIs and denied permits.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 62-330.060(1) Line by Line

Form 62-330.060(1) is organized into Sections A through G plus supplemental sections for sovereignty submerged lands and federal Section 404. Each section below maps to the actual headings on the form. Use the exact field labels printed on the PDF, and never paraphrase a checkbox label when answering.

Section A, Part 1: Project Name

The form asks for the name you want assigned to the permit file.

Enter a short, descriptive project name that combines the site and the activity. Avoid internal job numbers and abbreviations that an outsider would not recognize.

For example, Pelican Cove Townhomes Stormwater System tells a reviewer instantly what the project is. A consultant named Aisha Patel filing for her client writes Pelican Cove Townhomes Stormwater System in the Project Name box.

A nuance: if the project has been in pre-application discussions, use the same name you used in those meetings so the file links cleanly. Switching names mid-process orphans your prior correspondence.

The most common mistake is using a private internal code like Job 24-117. The consequence is that public-notice newspapers and neighboring property owners cannot identify the project, which can void public notice and force you to re-notice at your own expense.

A common misconception is that the project name is just a label. In reality, the project name appears on the permit, the public notice, and any future modification, so changing it later requires a formal permit transfer.

Section A, Part 2: Owner / Applicant Information

The form asks for the legal name, mailing address, phone, and email of the person or entity that will hold the permit.

Enter the legal name exactly as it appears on the deed or Sunbiz registration. Use all capital letters where the form shows ALL CAPS placeholder text, and format the phone as (XXX) XXX-XXXX.

For example, Marcus Reilly, the managing member of a Florida LLC, writes PELICAN COVE HOLDINGS, LLC on the Owner line and lists himself as the contact, not his personal name.

A nuance applies to trusts and estates: write the trustee or personal representative’s name with the trust name, such as JOHN SMITH, TRUSTEE OF THE SMITH FAMILY TRUST DATED 03/14/2010. Pure trust names without a trustee identified will be rejected.

The most common mistake is naming the contractor or engineer as the owner. The consequence is that the permit issues to the wrong party, and only the named permittee can request modifications, transfers, or extensions, which forces an expensive permit transfer under Rule 62-330.340, F.A.C..

A misconception is that the owner and applicant must be the same person. In fact, a contract purchaser may apply with the owner’s written consent attached as the agent authorization.

Section A, Part 3: Authorized Agent

The form asks for the consultant, engineer, or attorney who is authorized to act on the applicant’s behalf.

Enter the agent’s full name, firm name, professional license number where applicable, mailing address, phone, and email. Attach a notarized agent authorization signed by the owner.

For example, Janet Cho, a Florida P.E., writes JANET CHO, P.E. — LICENSE 78901, COASTAL CIVIL DESIGN, INC. and attaches a one-page notarized authorization signed by Marcus Reilly.

A nuance: if more than one agent will sign correspondence (engineer plus environmental consultant), list the lead agent here and add the others on a continuation page labeled Additional Authorized Agents.

The most common mistake is leaving this blank when a consultant prepared the application. The consequence is that the agency must legally direct all RAIs to the owner, who then forwards them to the consultant, adding two to four weeks per round.

A misconception is that signing as an agent makes the consultant liable for the project. The agent is liable only for the truthfulness of the application, not for compliance after issuance, which remains with the permittee.

Section A, Part 4: Project Location

The form asks for the county, section-township-range, latitude/longitude, parcel ID, and street address.

Enter latitude and longitude in decimal degrees to at least four decimal places (for example, 27.9506, -82.4572). Pull the parcel ID directly from the county property appraiser website, not from a tax bill, because tax bills sometimes truncate the number.

For example, Carlos Mendez writes Hillsborough County, Section 14, Township 28S, Range 18E, Parcel 0573210000, 4501 Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33611.

A nuance: for linear projects (roads, pipelines, transmission lines), give the start and end coordinates and attach a centerline alignment exhibit.

The most common mistake is giving the developer’s office address rather than the project site. The consequence is that the public notice goes to the wrong newspaper circulation area, voiding the notice.

A misconception is that a 911 address is enough. State reviewers and federal USACE reviewers verify location with the section-township-range and lat/long, so all three must match.

Section A, Part 5: Project Description

The form asks for a narrative description of the proposed activity.

Write three to five short paragraphs describing the existing site, the proposed work, the total acreage of impacts to wetlands and other surface waters, and the stormwater management approach. Use plain language and avoid jargon.

For example: The 12.4-acre site is currently pasture with a 0.62-acre isolated forested wetland. The project will fill 0.18 acre of wetland for road crossing, construct a wet detention pond providing 1.0 inch over the contributing area, and discharge to the existing roadside swale on Bayshore Boulevard. Mitigation will be provided through purchase of 0.36 forested UMAM credits from the Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank.

A nuance: cite the Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method (UMAM) under Chapter 62-345, F.A.C. when describing mitigation. Reviewers expect UMAM functional loss numbers, not raw acreage.

The most common mistake is a one-sentence description like Build townhomes. The consequence is an immediate RAI demanding the full description, costing 30 to 60 days.

A misconception is that the engineering plans speak for themselves. They do not — the narrative is what shows up in the public notice and in the permit’s Project Description condition.

Section A, Part 6: Activity Type and Permit Type Sought

The form lists checkboxes for Individual, Standard General, Conceptual Approval, and Modification.

Check exactly one primary box. Use Individual ERP for projects with wetland impacts greater than one acre or stormwater systems serving more than 100 acres. Use Standard General ERP for smaller projects that still exceed Noticed General thresholds.

For example, Aisha Patel checks Standard General for the 12.4-acre Pelican Cove project because total wetland impact is below one acre and the system serves less than 100 acres.

A nuance: if you are seeking conceptual approval for a master plan with future construction phases, check Conceptual and indicate the construction phases on a separate sheet.

The most common mistake is checking both Individual and Standard General to cover bases. The consequence is that the agency assigns the higher-fee Individual track and bills accordingly under Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C..

A misconception is that Standard General is easier than Individual. The technical criteria are identical; the difference is processing time and public-notice requirements.

Section A, Part 7: Project Acreage and Impact Acreage

The form asks for total project acreage, acreage of wetlands and other surface waters on site, acreage of direct impacts, and acreage of secondary impacts.

Enter values to two decimal places. Use the wetland delineation map to compute on-site wetland acreage and the impact exhibit to compute direct impacts.

For example, Carlos Mendez writes Total project: 12.40 ac; Wetlands on site: 0.62 ac; Direct impacts: 0.18 ac; Secondary impacts: 0.04 ac.

A nuance: secondary impacts are impacts within 25 feet of a wetland edge unless rebutted with site-specific information under Volume I, Section 10.2.7 of the Applicant’s Handbook.

The most common mistake is reporting only direct impacts and zeroing out secondary impacts. The consequence is that reviewers add presumed secondary impacts, which can push the project over the de minimis threshold and trigger mitigation.

A misconception is that isolated wetlands are exempt. Florida regulates isolated wetlands the same as connected wetlands under Section 373.4211, F.S..

Section A, Part 8: Cumulative and Phased Projects

The form asks whether the project is part of a larger common plan of development.

Check Yes if any portion of the parcel was previously permitted, sold off, or master-planned. Attach a phasing exhibit listing prior permit numbers.

For example, Marcus Reilly checks Yes because Phase 1 of Pelican Cove was permitted in 2022 under ERP 49-0312345-001, and lists that permit number on the continuation sheet.

A nuance: cumulative impact analysis under Volume I, Section 10.2.8 of the Applicant’s Handbook requires impacts of all phases together, not just the current phase.

The most common mistake is treating a phase as a standalone project. The consequence is that the agency reopens prior permits and re-evaluates cumulative impacts, often requiring additional mitigation retroactively.

A misconception is that buying a partial parcel resets the clock. It does not — the cumulative analysis follows the land, not the owner.

Section A, Part 9: Stormwater Management System

The form asks for the type of stormwater system (wet detention, dry retention, exfiltration, swale, etc.), the design storm, the treatment volume, and the discharge structure.

Enter the system type from the Volume II design menu, the design storm in inches, the treatment volume in acre-feet, and the discharge structure dimensions.

For example, Janet Cho enters Wet detention; design storm 25-yr/24-hr; treatment volume 1.03 ac-ft; bleed-down orifice 2.5-inch diameter at elev. 12.50 NAVD; weir at elev. 14.00 NAVD.

A nuance: Outstanding Florida Waters require an additional 50% treatment volume under Volume I, Section 4.2.1 of the Handbook.

The most common mistake is sizing the bleed-down orifice too large, which empties the pond in less than the required 24- to 72-hour residence time. The consequence is denial of the water-quality criterion and a redesign.

A misconception is that exfiltration trenches always qualify for full treatment credit. They do not in areas with seasonal high water table within two feet of the trench bottom.

Section A, Part 10: Mitigation

The form asks how unavoidable wetland impacts will be offset.

Identify the mitigation type (mitigation bank credits, permittee-responsible mitigation, or in-lieu fee), the provider, the credit amount, and the UMAM functional loss/gain calculation.

For example, Aisha Patel enters Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank, 0.36 forested freshwater credits, UMAM functional loss 0.12, functional gain 0.36, ratio 3:1.

A nuance: mitigation must be within the same drainage basin as the impact under Section 373.4136(6), F.S., or you must demonstrate that no in-basin credits are available.

The most common mistake is reserving credits after permit issuance. The consequence is that the permit cannot issue without a signed credit reservation letter in the file.

A misconception is that planting trees on site always counts as mitigation. Permittee-responsible mitigation requires hydrology, soils, success criteria, and long-term monitoring, not just tree planting.

Section A, Part 11: Public Interest Test (Wetland Impacts Only)

The form asks the applicant to address the seven public interest factors under Section 373.414(1)(a), F.S..

Provide a paragraph for each of the seven factors: public health and safety, conservation of fish and wildlife, navigation and erosion, fishing and recreation, temporary or permanent nature, historical and archaeological resources, and current condition and relative value of functions.

For example, on the navigation factor Carlos Mendez writes The proposed dock extends 75 feet waterward to reach -4 ft NAVD and does not extend more than 25% across the waterway, preserving navigation per Volume I, Section 10.2.3.3.

A nuance: projects in Outstanding Florida Waters must show the project is clearly in the public interest, a higher standard than the default not contrary to the public interest.

The most common mistake is a generic statement like the project will not harm the public interest. The consequence is an automatic RAI requiring a factor-by-factor response.

A misconception is that economic benefit to the applicant counts as public interest. It does not under the seven-factor test.

Section B: Sovereignty Submerged Lands (If Applicable)

This section applies if any portion of the work occurs on state-owned submerged lands.

Identify the form of authorization sought (consent of use, lease, or easement), the square footage preempted, and the riparian rights analysis.

For example, Carlos Mendez writes Consent of Use; 525 sq ft preempted; riparian rights extended per Rule 18-21.004(3), F.A.C. for his single-family dock.

A nuance: revenue-generating uses (marinas, commercial docks) require a lease, not a consent of use, with annual fees set under Rule 18-21.011, F.A.C..

The most common mistake is checking Consent of Use for a commercial marina. The consequence is denial and a forced lease application that can take six to twelve additional months.

A misconception is that riparian owners own the submerged land in front of their property. The state owns it; riparian owners only have qualified rights of access, ingress, and egress.

Section C: Federal Section 404 Coordination

This section asks whether federal dredge-and-fill review is needed.

Check Yes for any work in waters of the United States. Florida administers the State 404 Program for most assumed waters; non-assumed waters route to the Jacksonville District USACE.

For example, Aisha Patel checks Yes — State 404 Program and attaches the 404 supplemental questionnaire.

A nuance: tidal waters, navigable waters, and certain other categories were retained by USACE and are not assumed by the state.

The most common mistake is assuming all federal review goes through FDEP now. The consequence is missing a federal authorization and exposing the project to federal enforcement.

A misconception is that a state ERP automatically covers federal review. It does not — the State 404 Program is a parallel federal review running on a separate timeline.

Section D: Signature and Certification

The form requires the owner’s signature, the agent’s signature, and an engineer’s seal where applicable.

Sign in blue ink on paper submissions, or use the DEP Business Portal electronic signature for online submissions. The engineer’s seal must be a wet seal or a digitally signed seal under Rule 61G15-23.003, F.A.C..

For example, Marcus Reilly signs as Managing Member, Janet Cho signs and seals as the design engineer, and the agent authorization is attached.

A nuance: corporate applicants must show the signer’s authority (corporate resolution, operating agreement, or Sunbiz registered officer page).

The most common mistake is a missing engineer’s seal on the stormwater plans. The consequence is automatic incompleteness — the application never enters substantive review.

A misconception is that an electronic signature without a digital certificate counts as a sealed engineering drawing. It does not.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Scenario 1: Carlos Builds a Single-Family Dock

Form Section	What Carlos Enters
Project Name	Mendez Residence Private Dock
Owner / Applicant	CARLOS MENDEZ, 4501 BAYSHORE BLVD, TAMPA, FL 33611
Authorized Agent	None — Carlos files pro se under Self-Certification
Project Location	Hillsborough County, S14/T28S/R18E, 27.9506, -82.4572
Project Description	Construct 525 sq ft private residential dock with 4-pile boatlift, no fueling, no liveaboards, in Hillsborough Bay (Class III, not OFW)
Permit Type	Self-Certification under Rule 62-330.417, F.A.C.
Wetland Impacts	0.00 acre — pile-supported, no fill
Sovereignty Submerged Lands	Consent of Use, 525 sq ft preempted

Scenario 2: Aisha Permits a 12-Acre Townhome Project

Form Section	What Aisha Enters
Project Name	Pelican Cove Townhomes Stormwater System
Owner / Applicant	PELICAN COVE HOLDINGS, LLC
Authorized Agent	JANET CHO, P.E. — Coastal Civil Design, Inc.
Project Location	Pinellas County, S22/T30S/R16E, Parcel 22-30-16-00000-110-0100
Project Description	12.4-acre townhome development, fill 0.18 ac wetland, wet detention pond, discharge to Boca Ciega Bay tributary
Permit Type	Standard General ERP
Wetland Impacts	0.18 ac direct, 0.04 ac secondary
Mitigation	0.36 credits — Tampa Bay Mitigation Bank
Stormwater	Wet detention, 1.03 ac-ft treatment, 25-yr/24-hr design storm

Scenario 3: FDOT Widens a Road Across a Wetland

Form Section	What the FDOT Project Manager Enters
Project Name	SR-50 Widening MP 12.4 to MP 14.8 — Hernando County
Owner / Applicant	FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DISTRICT 7
Authorized Agent	MARCUS REILLY, P.E. — FDOT Drainage Engineer
Project Location	Hernando County, linear, start 28.5421, -82.4012; end 28.5418, -82.3650
Project Description	Widen 2.4 miles of SR-50 from 2 to 4 lanes, cross 3 forested wetlands, total fill 1.85 ac, dry retention swales
Permit Type	Individual ERP
Wetland Impacts	1.85 ac direct, 0.62 ac secondary
Public Interest	Clearly in the public interest — safety improvement, no OFW
Mitigation	3.40 UMAM credits — Hernando-Pasco Mitigation Bank

How to File the Completed Form

Online via the DEP Business Portal. Upload at prodapps.dep.state.fl.us/DepBizPortal. Pay by ACH or credit card. Processing begins the day the system marks the application received. Save the confirmation number — that is your proof of filing.

Online via the receiving WMD portal. SFWMD uses ePermitting, SWFWMD uses SWFWMD ePermitting, SJRWMD uses its permitting page, Suwannee River uses its permitting page, and Northwest Florida uses its permits page. Fees follow the same Rule 62-4.050, F.A.C. schedule. Keep the portal receipt.

By mail or in person. FDEP district offices and WMD service centers accept paper filings. Send a check payable to Florida Department of Environmental Protection or to the relevant WMD. Use certified mail with return receipt; the postmark is your proof of filing.

By fax. Not accepted for ERP applications. Faxed submissions are returned without review.

Fees. Range from $0 for Self-Certification to $100 for most Noticed General Permits, $500 to $4,000 for Standard General ERPs, and $1,000 to $14,000+ for Individual ERPs depending on project size and impact, with surcharges for sovereignty submerged lands authorizations under Rule 18-21, F.A.C..

Processing time. The agency has 30 days to issue a completeness determination under Section 120.60, F.S.. After completeness, the substantive review clock is 60 days for Standard General and 90 days for Individual permits, with the clock pausing each time a Request for Additional Information (RAI) is issued.

What Happens After You File

Within 30 days, you receive either a completeness letter or an RAI listing every defect. The RAI tolls the review clock until you respond. Each RAI cycle commonly adds 30 to 90 days to the project, and applicants get up to two RAIs by rule before the agency may deem the application withdrawn under Rule 62-330.060(7), F.A.C..

After the application is complete, Individual ERPs require public notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the project is located. Affected persons have 14 days from publication to request an administrative hearing under Chapter 120, F.S., so build that window into your construction schedule.

The permit issues with general conditions from Rule 62-330.350, F.A.C. and project-specific conditions tailored to your site. Construction must begin within the time stated in the permit, and as-built certification by a Florida P.E. is required within 30 days of completion using the Form 62-330.310(1) certification of completion.

Permits last five years for the construction phase and convert to a perpetual operation phase upon as-built certification. Failure to file the as-built triggers compliance enforcement and bars permit transfer to a homeowners association or other operating entity.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

• Filing with the wrong agency. The application sits in limbo until the receiving agency forwards it, costing 30 days or more.
• Missing engineer’s seal. Triggers automatic incompleteness; substantive review never starts.
• Outdated form revision. Rejected as incomplete even if every answer is correct.
• Wrong owner name. Forces an expensive permit transfer post-issuance.
• Skipping the public interest narrative. Generates a guaranteed RAI and 30 to 60 days of delay.
• Underreporting secondary impacts. Reviewers add presumed impacts, often pushing the project over mitigation thresholds.
• No mitigation reservation letter. The permit cannot issue without it on file.
• Ignoring sovereignty submerged lands authorization. A separate authorization is required and often missed by upland-focused engineers.
• Wrong fee amount. Underpayment is treated as no payment, and the application is not entered in the system.
• Naming the contractor as applicant. The permit issues to the wrong party and only the permittee can request modifications.
• Skipping the cumulative impact analysis on phased projects. The agency can reopen prior permits and demand retroactive mitigation.
• Missing State 404 supplemental questionnaire. Federal review is bypassed and the project is exposed to federal enforcement.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do request a free pre-application meeting for any project larger than five acres, because reviewer feedback before submittal typically saves one full RAI cycle.

Do match the project name in pre-application correspondence, because consistent naming links your file history.

Do delineate wetlands under Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. before designing your site plan, because redesigning around an unflagged wetland is costly.

Do reserve mitigation credits before submitting, because a signed reservation letter is required for issuance.

Do check the receiving agency under the Operating Agreements, because filing with the wrong agency restarts the clock.

Do keep the portal confirmation number, because it is your proof of filing for any later Section 120.60 default arguments.

Don’t submit unsealed engineering drawings, because they are rejected on sight under Chapter 471, F.S..

Don’t start construction before issuance, because unauthorized work triggers enforcement under Section 373.430, F.S. and removal orders.

Don’t rely on email confirmations as proof of completeness, because only the formal completeness letter starts the substantive clock.

Don’t ignore a Request for Additional Information past its deadline, because the application can be deemed withdrawn under Rule 62-330.060(7), F.A.C.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Pros of filing on your own (pro se).

• Lower cost — no consultant fees on top of the agency fee.
• Direct control over the timeline, with no scheduling friction.
• Best fit for clearly exempt activities and Self-Certifications under Rule 62-330.417, F.A.C.
• Faster decision making — you do not need to wait for a consultant’s queue.
• Builds your own institutional knowledge for future projects on the same parcel.

Cons of filing on your own.

• High RAI risk on anything larger than a Self-Certification.
• Engineer’s seal still required for any stormwater system serving more than a single-family lot, so you cannot fully self-prepare.
• Easy to miss the State 404 coordination and sovereignty submerged lands components.
• Public-interest narrative is hard to write without ERP experience.
• Mistakes can trigger enforcement and removal orders that dwarf consultant fees.

FAQs

Do I need an ERP for a single-family dock?

Yes. A dock under 1,000 sq ft in non-OFW waters usually qualifies for Self-Certification under Rule 62-330.417, F.A.C., but it is still an ERP authorization.

Can I file an ERP without an engineer?

No. Any stormwater system serving more than a single-family residence requires plans signed and sealed by a Florida-licensed P.E. under Chapter 471, F.S.

Do I write my legal name or trade name in the Owner box?

Yes — write the legal name from the deed or Sunbiz registration. A trade or doing-business-as name in the Owner field will trigger a completeness defect.

How long does ERP review take?

Yes, expect at least 30 days for completeness and 60 to 90 days for substantive review under Section 120.60, F.S., longer with each RAI cycle.

Should I check Individual or Standard General in Part 6?

No — do not check both. Check Standard General if wetland impacts are under one acre and the system serves under 100 acres; otherwise check Individual.

Do I list secondary impacts even if I think there are none?

Yes. Secondary impacts are presumed within 25 feet of a wetland edge and must be quantified or rebutted, or reviewers will impose them.

Is a 911 address enough for the Project Location?

No. You must also list section-township-range, latitude/longitude in decimal degrees, and the parcel ID from the county property appraiser.

Do isolated wetlands need an ERP?

Yes. Florida regulates isolated wetlands the same as connected wetlands under Section 373.4211, F.S.

Is the State 404 Program the same as my ERP?

No. The State 404 Program is a parallel federal review under separate criteria; both must be satisfied for projects in waters of the United States.

Do I have to use a mitigation bank?

No. Permittee-responsible mitigation and in-lieu fee programs are also allowed under Section 373.4136, F.S., as long as the in-basin requirement is met.

Can I sign as an agent if I am not a licensed engineer?

Yes, anyone with a notarized agent authorization can sign as agent, but engineering exhibits still require a sealed Florida P.E.

Does my ERP transfer automatically when I sell the property?

No. Transfers require a formal transfer application under Rule 62-330.340, F.A.C. within 30 days of closing.

Do I need a separate authorization for state-owned submerged lands?

Yes. Sovereignty submerged lands require a Consent of Use, lease, or easement under Chapter 18-21, F.A.C., filed concurrently with the ERP.

Can I start construction once I receive the issuance email?

No. You must wait through the 14-day point-of-entry window for administrative challenges under Chapter 120, F.S. before construction is fully secure.