About Us
The South Broward Drainage District has jurisdiction over 46,600 acres (approximately 73 square miles) in Southwest Broward which includes 150 linear miles of fresh-water canals and 7,700 acres of lakes for stormwater storage. In general, the District’s boundaries are University Drive to the east, the Everglades Conservation Area to the west, South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) C-11 canal (Griffin Road canal) to the north boundary and the Miami-Dade County line to the south. Please refer to the District’s boundary map included in our web page.
The key to preventing stormwater problems is planning. The South Broward Drainage District insures that new developments, areas of redevelopment and roadways meet the District’s stormwater management regulations. Plats, Paving and Drainage Plans and Lake Excavation Plans are submitted for review and must meet all design criteria, including that for 10, 25 and 100 year three-day storm events. Also, the requirements of the Broward County Comprehensive Plan relating to water management states all building permits issued within the Town of Southwest Ranches will be required to provide a stormwater study to insure level of service standards for drainage and flood protection are in compliance.
Anyone applying to the town of Southwest Ranches for a building permit or development for a property that falls within SBDD boundaries should contact the District to determine the criteria regarding: surface-water management areas and the requirement for easements/rights-of-way.
The District’s fiscal year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th of the following year. The District adopts its annual budget on October 1st of each year. For more specifics on SBDD budgets, monthly financial statements, and annual audits visit our financial page.
The District’s Annual Assessment Rates are:
- Single Family Home$35.00
- Vacant Land$27.10
- Multi-Family Home$24.30
- Residential Condo$24.30
- Commercial/Industrial$72.30
- Mobile Home$24.30
The South Broward Drainage District Board of Commissioners voted on April 25, 2013 to pass a resolution to exempt permanently disabled veterans from paying the District’s annual tax on their property. Further, Resolution 2013-02 allows for the tax exemption to be applied to eligible spouses of permanently disabled veterans, as well as surviving spouses of first responders who die in the line of duty.
The District’s inspection staff schedules daily inspections of stormwater infrastructure and is responsible for routinely inspecting the District’s easements and rights-of-way to insure there are no encroachments therein to impede their intended use(s). The field-operations division works out of a multi-purpose complex equipped with backup emergency power and can serve as a base station in the event of a major storm. Employees are in the field on a regular basis checking waterways for debris or infringing vegetation that could potentially block/clog the primary and secondary drainage systems. Blockages are quickly removed, and herbicides may be applied to recurring vegetation problems that could prevent movement of stormwater. Grass carp are also used in designated areas to assist in vegetation control.
District facilities and equipment must be inspected on a regular schedule. During the dry season, District staff spends much of its time performing preventative maintenance on all of its major facilities and equipment. During the rainy season, June to November, stormwater pump stations operate around the clock as required. In Florida, the rainy season also means hurricane season; and South Broward Drainage District must be prepared for a major storm event. To accomplish this, a comprehensive Hurricane Preparedness Plan has been developed; and designated employees have specific assignments in the event of an emergency.
To view the current SBDD Facilities Report & Water Control Plan click here.
History
South Broward Drainage District was created in 1927 by the Florida Legislature out of a portion of the Napoleon B. Broward Drainage District as an independent special taxing District.
Special districts are created to meet public demand for the provision of specialized services. Originally called the Hollywood Reclamation District, it was established to reclaim the Everglades for land use, primarily agricultural. Through time, progress, land use changes and development, the Hollywood Reclamation District in 1986 was renamed the South Broward Drainage District, the largest independent district in Broward County. Please review the South Broward Drainage District Charter.
South Broward Drainage District was awarded the Broward County NatureScape Emerald Award for its efforts in improving water quality in SW Broward County in 2012 and again in 2017 for its Sluice Gates and Green Initiative program.
