Land Excavation Permits

If you are excavating or hauling-off more than 10,000 cubic yards of dirt, sand, shell, stone, peat, muck or other natural ground materials, you will need a land excavation permit.

Excavation and off-site hauling of less than 10,000 cubic yards, or excavation of more than 10,000 cubic yards where the material remains on site, requires a different permit process to obtain a natural resources land alteration permit.

How much is 10,000 cubic yards?

An excavation of about 135 by 135 feet, 15 feet deep or one acre excavated 6.2 feet deep.

Process and fees

This process takes approximately 6 months and consists of obtaining two different permits:

• Special use permit
  • $3,182.50 application fee
• Operating permit
  • $525 application fee
  • $975 amendment fee
  • Reclamation bond in the amount of 110% of the reclamation costs for the two largest excavation phases - due prior issuing the operation permit
  • Land Excavation Inspection Fee of $0.04 per cubic yard excavated is due quarterly once excavation begins
  • $1,150 EPC Land Excavation review fee

Special use permit

This is the first step when you want to get a land excavation permit. Since this is an extremely detailed and complex process, we recommend you submit a zoning information request to answer any questions you may have.

• Complete the Special Use-Land Excavation application
• Submit completed application to zoningintake-dsd@hcfl.gov.
  • Ensure that you have all required files labeled with the Folio number. Files must be in pdf format and minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
  • If the total size of your files is greater than 25 MB or you are having difficulty sending them via email, please upload your special use - land excavation documents. Highlight all files to be submitted and compress them into a single .zip file. Please ensure you label this file with the folio number. If you need assistance creating a .zip file. A visual guide on creating a zip file and uploading your documents is available.
  • Although you can prepare this yourself, you may require the services of a professional engineer and/or land use planner due to the complexity of the submission requirements

Special use review and approval process

1. After you submit your application, we will review it and let you know if you need to submit further information
2. During the review we will look for land use compatibility and location criteria
3. After the review is completed, we will place your application on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Land Use meeting public schedule
4. At the hearing you, the public and our staff can state their positions
5. The BOCC will make a decision whether to approve, approve with conditions, or deny your application
6. Special use permits are good for a period determined by the BOCC during the approval process

Operating permit

• You cannot obtain an operating permit until you have received your special use permit
• Once you have received your Special Use permit, submit your completed land excavation operating permit application to the staff of the Land Excavation team

• Submit completed application to the naturalresources@hcfl.gov For files totaling greater than 25 MB, ensure that you have all required files labeled with the Folio number. Files must be in pdf or jpeg format. Highlight all files to be submitted and compress them into a single .zip file. Please ensure you label this file with the folio number. A visual guide on creating zip file and uploading your documents is available. Upload your operating permit documents. Please note: Your signature certifies your legal responsibilities associated with the submission of your application.

Operating permit review and approval process

Various agencies will review your application and focus on the technical details and operational standards of the excavation. Upon completion of this review, no public hearing is required. The administrator will make a decision whether to issue, issue with conditions, or deny your application. Operating permits come up for administrative review at least every three years.

Appeals and changes

• If you wish to appeal a denial of an operating permit, you may appeal to the Land Use Hearing Officer
• If you wish to change the conditions of your special use permit, you will need to apply for a new special use permit and complete all of the steps outlined previously
• If you wish to amend your operating permit, you must file for an amendment through Natural Resources staff

Final considerations

• After you receive both the special use and operating permits you will need to make sure you do the following:
  • Obtain all other required permits, including those from different regulatory agencies
  • Comply with the permit conditions and the provisions of the Land Development Code
  • Ensure truck traffic from your site complies with the approved haul routes
  • Pay quarterly land excavation inspection fees
  • Complete reclamation of the site per approved plans

Resources:

• Land Excavation Operating Permit Application
  
• Land Development Code- Natural Resources
• BOCC Land Use Hearing Schedule

Contact

• For more information regarding the Land Excavation Special Use permitting process call (813) 272-5600 option 3, then 4.
• For more information regarding the Land Excavation Operating permit process call (813) 272-5600 option 2, then 2.