Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ENACT Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, PERTAINING TO AQUATIC AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, WETLAND RESOURCE PROTECTION, HAZARDOUS MATERIAL, AND COOLING TOWERS; AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 27 OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”) TO UPDATE SEVERAL REGULATED PROGRAMS RELATED TO AQUATIC AND WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, WETLAND RESOURCE PROTECTION, AND HAZARDOUS MATERIAL; AMENDING SECTION 34-168 OF THE CODE RELATING TO COOLING TOWERS; PROVIDING FOR GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by the Board of County Commissioners)
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Why Action is Necessary
A Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish notice of public hearing to consider enactment of the Ordinance was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) at its meeting of April 28, 2026.
What Action Accomplishes
Allows for the Commission’s consideration of the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
The proposed Ordinance updates Chapter 27 of the Code relating to Aquatic and Water Resource Management, Wetland Resource Protection, and Hazardous Material regulation, and amends Chapter 34 of the Code related to Cooling Towers. The proposed Ordinance includes regulatory updates and administrative housekeeping amendments intended to modernize and clarify requirements, align County standards with applicable state and federal references, and improve consistency in licensing, renewal, and compliance processes for regulated activities affecting water resources, wetlands, and hazardous materials.
The proposed Ordinance outlines environmental review prerequisites prior to issuance of building permits, updates definitions and technical standards for stormwater best management practices, refines surface water management licensing renewal requirements and electronic submittal procedures, and updates applicable water quality standards and related criteria. In addition, the proposed Ordinance revises living seawall, wetland, and aquatic resource protection provisions, including Manatee Protection Plan-related licensing and fee requirements, updates hazardous material definitions and facility operating requirements, and enhances cooling tower renewal requirements, including operational verification and documentation.
Source of Additional Information
Maite Azcoitia, Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Per the Office of Management and Budget, the estimated impact on the budget does not exceed the threshold required for a Fiscal Impact Statement.