Agencies›Regional / Environmental

Department of Environmental Resources Management

Environmental clearance for construction near sensitive areas.

DERM — or an equivalent county-level environmental resources agency — reviews construction that affects wetlands, tree canopy, stormwater, and other environmental resources. Projects near water, with significant tree removal, or that disturb sensitive land often require DERM review before a building permit is issued.

What they regulate

  • Wetland impacts and mitigation
  • Tree removal permits and canopy replacement
  • Stormwater management and erosion control
  • Contaminated site review

What triggers their review

  • Construction near wetlands or water bodies
  • Significant tree removal
  • Land-disturbing activity above a threshold acreage
  • Sites with known or suspected contamination
Typical turnaround
10–45 business days depending on complexity and whether mitigation is required

What causes delays

  • —Missing environmental assessment reports
  • —Tree survey deficiencies
  • —Mitigation plan disputes
  • —Coordination required with state environmental agencies

How Cleard handles DERM

  • Identifying DERM requirements early in the permit process
  • Coordinating environmental reports and supporting documentation
  • Managing parallel submittal to DERM and the building department

Trades that commonly need DERM review

General ContractorsHome BuildersCommercial BuildersFoundation ContractorsPool Builders

Other agencies in the approval chain

Building DeptThe first stop for every permit.
Zoning / PlanningLand use approval before the permit.
WASD / UtilitiesWater and sewer clearance for new connections and modifications.
DOHHealth department approval for septic, pools, and food service.
SFWMD / ERPStormwater and wetland permitting for larger projects.
FDEP / CoastalState permits for construction near the coast and water.
ACOEFederal permits for work affecting navigable waters and wetlands.
HOA / ARBCommunity approval before the permit.
Impact FeesOne-time infrastructure charges assessed at permit issuance.
Fire MarshalFire code compliance review for commercial and multi-family.

We handle DERM so you don't have to.

Cleard manages the full approval chain — every agency, every submittal, every correction cycle.

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