Southwest District Permitting

Florida’s environmental laws require sites to be developed, projects to be built, and facilities to be operated in a manner that is protective of the environment. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection issues permits and authorizations for a wide variety of facilities and activities, such as air emission sources, coastal construction, residential and commercial docks, marinas, waste management facilities, and drinking water and wastewater plants. Along with rules and statutes, these authorizations establish criteria and conditions that help safeguard Florida’s natural resources and enhance its ecosystems.

The Southwest District Permitting Program works to ensure protection of the environment and human health while providing the public with fair, consistent and timely customer service.

In coordination with DEP's regulatory divisions of Air Resource Management, Water Resource Management and Waste Management, the Southwest District Permitting Program is responsible for issuing permits and other authorizations associated with:

• Air - for minor and major sources of air pollution in Florida.
• Water Resources - associated with:
  • Drinking Water.
  • Domestic Wastewater.
  • Industrial Wastewater.
  • Submerged Lands and Environmental Resources.

  Helpful Links

  • Permit Application Notices.
  • Permit Applications Under Review.
  • Permitting Application Subscription Service (PASS).
  • Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) Frequently Asked Questions.
  • ERP Project Checklists.
  • DEP Wetland Guidance - Elimination and Reduction of Impacts.
  • DEP Wetland Guidance - Where do I start? How do I know if I have wetlands?
  • DEP Wetland Guidance - Mitigation.
  • Trimming Mangroves: Best Managment Practices.
  • Dock Permitting in Florida.
  • Do I Need a Permit? Wetland Determinations and Impacts FAQ.
  • ERP Applicants Handbook (Supplemental information): Volume I (Wetlands permitting criteria) and Volume II (Stormwater criteria - SWFWMD).

  Citizen Concerns or Complaints

  If you would like to submit an environmental concern to the Southwest District, please fill out this form or call the district office at 813-470-5700.

  Air Resources

  Permitting associated with stationary sources of air pollution.

  Melissa Madden

  Potable Water, Industrial Wastewater

  Permitting associated with drinking water facilities and distribution systems to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards; Permitting associated with Industrial Wastewater.

  Gerald "JJ" Loesch

  Environmental Resources

  Permitting for activities in wetlands, surface waters or state lands; dredge & fill; stormwater ponds; docks/piers; boat ramps; shoreline stabilization.

  Solid Waste

  Permitting associated with solid waste disposal and processing sites (landfills; waste transfer stations, dumping; waste tires; storm debris).

  Melissa Madden

  Domestic Wastewater

  Permitting associated with domestic (sanitary sewage from residents, businesses, etc.) wastewater.

  Gerald "JJ" Loesch

  Southwest District Program Information

  • Air
  • Drinking Water
  • Environmental Resources
  • Industrial Wastewater
  • Solid Waste
  • Underground Injection Control
  • Domestic Wastewater
  • Emergency Response
  • Hazardous Waste
  • NPDES Storm Water
  • Tanks
  • Waste Clean Up/Brownfields