Excavation permits and rules in Florida

Anyone digging in Florida has to notify Sunshine 811 before work starts. The notice period under Fla. Stat. 556.101 to 556.116: Not less than 2 full business days before beginning any excavation or demolition that is not beneath the waters of the state (not less than 10 full business days if beneath the waters of the state).^{1, 2}

Florida licenses contractors through the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). Who needs a license: Work with an aggregate contract price of $2,500 or more, or any work that is part of a larger operation (Fla. Stat. 489.103(9)). Underground utility and excavation contractor is a state certified or registered classification covering sewer, water and storm sewer mains and excavation incidental to them; grading or land clearing outside that scope is not a named state classification.^{3, 4, 5}

A stormwater permit is needed at 1 acre, or less if part of a larger common plan of development or sale, where stormwater discharges to surface waters or an MS4. Coverage is under the NPDES Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities (Construction Generic Permit), DEP Document No. 62-621.300(4)(a).^{6, 7}