Do I need a permit to build a dock in Florida?

Short answer: usually, yes. A dock, seawall or boat lift on Florida's Treasure Coast can need state, federal and local approval, although some small single-family docks qualify for a state exemption. Once the plans are approved, Dockside handles the paperwork for the approvals your project needs.

Which permits does a dock need in Florida?

These are the approvals Dockside typically handles. Not every project needs all of them; it depends on the size of the structure, the waterbody and where your property sits.

1. FDEP Environmental Resource Permit, exemption or general permit

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulates work in wetlands and surface waters through its Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program. Many private single-family docks qualify for an exemption. FDEP's exemption criteria include docks of 1,000 square feet or less over the water or 500 square feet or less in Outstanding Florida Waters, built on pilings or floating and used for noncommercial recreation. FDEP offers free online self-certification for a new single-family dock with or without a boat lift, repair or replacement of an existing dock and adding a boat lift. Projects that do not fit an exemption may qualify for an FDEP general permit or need an individual permit.

2. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval (SPGP)

Docks and shoreline stabilization in navigable waters also fall under federal law: Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The Corps' Jacksonville District covers qualifying minor projects, including docks, piers and shoreline stabilization such as seawalls and riprap, through its State Programmatic General Permit (SPGP). For projects that qualify, the federal verification comes through FDEP or another authorized agency rather than a separate application to the Corps.

3. Authorization to use sovereign submerged lands

Most land under tidal and navigable waters in Florida is state-owned sovereign submerged land, held by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, with FDEP acting as its staff. A structure over these lands needs proprietary authorization. Depending on the project, that is a consent by rule, a letter of consent or a submerged land lease.

4. County or city building permit

• Indian River County: the county and City of Vero Beach Building Division require separate permits for docks and seawalls, with a survey or site plan and signed and sealed structural drawings.
• Brevard County: a Residential Marine Construction permit covers installing or replacing docks, seawalls and boat lifts in manmade waters such as canals. For natural waterbodies, Brevard directs owners to FDEP.
• St. Lucie County: the county publishes a Marine Construction Checklist for building permits.
• Martin County: a permit is required to build a dock or boat lift, and the county has a separate residential seawall checklist.

If your property is inside city limits, the city's building department may handle the permit instead of the county.

Who handles the dock permit paperwork?

We do. Once the plans are approved, we'll handle all paperwork submission to local and state agencies for permitting. The same process applies to seawalls, boat lifts and other marine construction services. For a shoreline example that required county approval, see our St. Cloud seawall and walkway story. We take each project step by step, from design to completion, and permitting comes after the plans are approved.

“We want to express to your company how pleased we are with our new dock. Your employees were always on time, very polite and cleaned up the work site each day. Everything is as you promised and looks wonderful.” — Dorothy Poole

Get a free estimate

Tell us about your waterfront project and we will set up a time to look at your property. Call 772-664-6798, contact us or request a free estimate. You can also browse our marine construction services.

Our partners: Dockside Builders works alongside community, conservation and industry partners on Florida's Treasure and Space Coasts. Meet our partners.

Sources

• FDEP: ERP e-Permitting (exemptions, self-certification, general permits)
• FDEP: Chapter 403 dock exemptions
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: SPGP
• FDEP: Federal permits and coordination agreements (SPGP VI)
• FDEP: Sovereign Submerged Lands, proprietary authority
• FDEP: Section F, application to use state-owned submerged lands
• Indian River County / City of Vero Beach Building Division: Dock and Seawall Permit Checklist
• Brevard County: Residential Marine Construction permits
• St. Lucie County: Permit checklists (Marine Construction Checklist)
• Martin County: Dock and/or boatlift permit requirements