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Escambia CountyFlorida

A mine or borrow pit is where a material like gravel, soil, clay or sand has been excavated for use at another location. Borrow pits can be enclosed or open, and both types require a permit in Escambia County. The process of reclaiming a borrow pit back to land by filling with fill material is referred as a borrow pit reclamation project.

Permits

The permitting process for a new borrow pit is similar to other projects. Before you begin, check and double check your zoning and future land use category. A pre-application conference is required for this type of development. This is a free service that we offer so that we can highlight the ordinance regulations and address potential issues and discuss potential solutions. Additional steps include: 

Flowchart showing the borrow pit permitting process from pre-application through approval or additional requirements.
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Borrow Pit Permitting Process

Step 1: Pre-Application

The applicant must submit documents for a required pre-application conference.

Step 2: Staff Initial Review

Staff from the following departments review the application:

  • Planning & Zoning
  • Stormwater
  • Fire Safety
  • Surety
  • Solid Waste
  • Building Inspections
  • Environmental
  • Floodplain
  • Health Department

Review also includes:

  • Land Development Code (LDC)
  • Comprehensive Plan
  • Chapter 42, Article VIII
  • Chapter 82, Article V

Step 3: Determination

If the project does not meet regulations:

The process stops or requires revisions before proceeding.

If the project meets current regulations:

  • Applicant submits a formal DRC project application
  • Development Order and County Resource Extraction Permit are issued
  • Reclamation Plan is submitted to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for approval

Additional Approvals (if required)

  • Conditional Use
  • Rezoning
  • Future Land Use Change
  • Variance

Disclaimer

This chart is for reference and informational purposes only. For current and up-to-date information, contact Planning & Zoning staff.


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