Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division protects the health, safety and welfare of residents and the public by regulating explosives, blasting, implosion and dynamic compaction operations throughout Broward County. These regulations are found in Chapter 12, Article II, Broward County Code of Ordinances, and include provisions for issuing licenses, reviewing plans, issuing permits, providing on-site monitoring and inspections, and investigating complaints.

• Blasting involves the use of explosive materials for fracturing, removing or excavating rocks, soil and some structures; and for heavy-duty industrial/furnace cleaning.
• Implosion involves the use of explosive materials for imploding structures.
• Dynamic Compaction involves the use of heavy-duty equipment to produce an extremely strong vibration that densely compacts soil so that it meets acceptable standards for supporting heavily trafficked roads, high-rise buildings and similar structures.

New/Renew License

Within Broward County, any individual that intends to use, handle, transport, and/or store explosives and blasting agents must be licensed by the Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division. In addition to these local requirements, individuals must comply with the provisions of Chapter 552, Florida Statutes, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated by the Division of State Fire Marshal. Licensees are then eligible to apply for a site- or event- specific permit for the use, handling, storage or transport of explosives and blasting agents within Broward County.

There are four different categories of licenses issued by the Division:

• User License: authorizes a person to purchase or store explosives or blasting agents, or to engage in blasting at any approved site;
• Blaster License: authorizes a person to use explosives or blasting agents at an approved site;
• Handler License: authorizes a person to handle explosives while assisting a user or blaster;
• Carrier License: authorizes a person to transport explosives or blasting agents within or through Broward County.

To apply for any of the licenses above you must contact our agency to set up a conference to discuss your qualifications and background, and to receive an application. Call 954-765-4400, Option 0 (zero) to schedule a pre-application conference with our agency.

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New Permits

Blasting/Implosion Permit

Individuals that possess a State of Florida and Broward County License may apply for a permit from the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division to use, store, handle or transport explosives and/or blasting agents in Broward County. Before applying for a permit, you must contact our agency to set up a “Pre-Blast” conference. In addition, you must provide surveys of the site and the surrounding properties/buildings, proof of a minimum liability insurance policy and cash bond, and pay a permit fee to discuss your project and review your site plans.

All permits for blasting and/or implosion expire on December 31. If your permit expires, you must contact our office to obtain a new permit and pay another fee.

When any blasting or implosion activity is in progress, a seismograph must be used. In addition, our agency’s licensed official will perform on-site monitoring.

Call 954-765-4400, Option 0 (zero) to schedule a pre-application conference with our agency.

Dynamic Compaction Permit

The Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division issues permits to individuals or entities that conduct dynamic compaction at a site located within Broward County. Before applying for the permit, you must contact our agency to set up a conference to discuss your project and review your site plans. You must also provide surveys of the site and the surrounding properties/buildings, and proof of a minimum liability insurance policy. In addition, you must meet certain pre-compaction notice and inspection requirements, and pay a permit fee.

All permits for compaction expire on December 31. If your permit expires, you must contact our office to obtain a new permit and pay another fee.

When any compaction activity is in progress, a seismograph must be used. In addition, our agency’s licensed official will perform on-site monitoring.

Call 954-765-4400, Option 0 (zero), to schedule a pre-application conference with our agency.

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Enforcement

Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division provides on-site monitoring whenever there is blasting, implosion or dynamic compacting activity in progress. In addition, a seismograph is used to measure the vibrations caused by those operations. Non-compliance with a law which affects the public welfare, health and/or safety can result in the site being immediately shut down until the violation is corrected. The permit is suspended during that time, but is re-activated after the correction is made and the site is re-opened.

The Division may also enter into an Inter-local Agreement with a municipality that is adjacent to a permitted blasting, implosion or dynamic compaction site. The Division then monitors the level of vibration coming from the site, on behalf of the neighboring municipality and its residents.

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Complaints

The Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division will investigate any written and signed complaint we receive involving blasting, implosion or dynamic compaction operations within Broward County. Division staff will investigate the complaint and attempt to have any problems or damage corrected. If a complaint cannot be resolved by our investigation staff through agreement by the parties, an administrative hearing may be held at which all parties must appear.

If you have questions, concerns or wish to file a complaint, please call the Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division’s Blasting Hotline at 954-765-5081. We will do our best to return your call within 24 hours.

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