Stormwater Manual

New Statewide Stormwater Regulations

Effective Dec. 29, 2025, Florida will implement new statewide stormwater regulations that affect most new major commercial and residential subdivision construction in Pinellas County.

These rules are regulated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Developers for these projects should contact SWFWMD’s Tampa Service Office at (813) 985-7481 or email Stormwater2020@FloridaDEP.gov to schedule a pre-application meeting and discuss how the regulations may impact their intended development.

For more information, visit the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) page and ERP Stormwater Resource Center page.

The Pinellas County Stormwater Manual (see PDF) provides a comprehensive, responsible approach to stormwater design and management in Pinellas County. The Board of County Commissioners adopted the current manual on April 23, 2024.

The manual is designed in three distinct parts that each address the stages of the stormwater design process:

Part A: Pinellas Stormwater Requirements – This part establishes the overall stormwater standards. This includes performance standards and technical requirements. This part also establishes the stormwater quantity and quality standards that are required for development activity in Pinellas County.
Part B: Best Management Practice (BMP) Criteria – This part establishes the various stormwater methods that are allowed/approved in Pinellas County. This includes specific design criteria, standards, and details for each method. It is intended to allow for several stormwater methods so that there is a comprehensive, yet flexible means to manage stormwater in a redevelopment setting.
Part C: Background Information and Site Planning – This part addresses the purpose and intent of stormwater management and how it relates to Pinellas County. It also establishes the community’s expectation as to how sites are designed, redeveloped, and maintained.

Reference Information

Periodically Pinellas County, University of Florida IFAS, Florida DEP and other agencies and groups research and update many of the recommendations and guidelines presented in the Manual. Current and future updates will be presented here for use.