Do I Need a Permit to Build a Dock?

If you own a waterfront property, installing a dock can open up boating adventures, tranquil relaxation and priceless memories. However, some property owners who could be launching from their shorelines may be holding back because they’re unsure how to navigate the local boat dock permit regulations. If you’re in that position, this guide will help you find answers so you can install your dream dock.

Why Do Dock Permits Matter?

A dock permit is permission from local or state authorities to build or install a dock. While dock permitting requirements may feel restrictive, they serve several positive purposes for the community and the environment. These include:

• Ensuring structures are safe for the people who will use them.
• Managing water traffic so everyone can enjoy fair access to their waterways.
• Protecting the environment from pollution and ecosystem disruptions, including disruptions of fish migration patterns.

By checking whether you need a permit and following the process if you do, you uphold all these benefits for yourself and others. Conversely, ignoring permitting requirements could lead to expensive fines and the loss of your dock if you needed a permit but didn’t have one.

When Do I Need a Permit to Build a Dock?

Whether your dock requires a permit generally depends on these factors:

• Dock type: Most permanent docks require permits because they affect the shoreline and may impact wildlife and water quality. The more a dock impacts water flow and the shoreline’s soil, the more likely it is to need a permit. In many places, floating docks don’t require permits, partly because they are more eco-friendly. Elsewhere, such as Massachusetts, floating docks only require a local harbormaster permit rather than one from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
• Location: Homeowners are usually allowed to build docks on their own land. But whether they need a permit to do so depends on regulations that vary between states, and sometimes between municipalities and homeowners associations. Some bodies of water have special protections that could affect your permitting requirements.
• Purpose: If you’re building a dock for your own recreational use, you’re less likely to need a permit. Permitting requirements in many places are stricter on commercial docks because attracting customers to use them can have broader safety and environmental implications.
• Size: The smaller your intended dock, the less likely you are to need a permit. While it’s not a factor everywhere, some states set a size threshold for docks requiring a permit, such as 500 square feet or 1,000 square feet. For example, Florida has a permitting exemption for docks under 500 square feet in areas designated as Outstanding Florida Waters and under 1,000 square feet for other waters.

How Can I Check if I Need a Permit?

You can search online for dock permit regulations and add your state’s name to the query to check the regulations in your state. Check official state government department websites for reliable information. Most states have a DEP or similar agency governing dock construction, and yours may have helpful resources on their website. But bear in mind your municipality may have its own permitting requirements, as could your HOA if you belong to one.

Contact your municipality and, if relevant, your HOA’s board of directors to ask whether any dock permitting requirements beyond the state regulations apply to your property. Your local building department or zoning authority can also advise you on any local permitting requirements. It’s possible to have no permit requirement in your state but be in a municipality that requires one or two separate permits from your state and local authorities. Some localities with no permitting requirements have self-certification procedures you need to follow, so be sure to ask about these as well.

How Do I Get a Dock Permit?

If your dock project needs a permit, the process of getting one depends on where you are and what type of permit you need. In general, the process has four steps:

Contact Local Authorities

Contact your local zoning office or state DEP. Explain where your property is and what type of dock you want to install. They’ll provide the list of requirements to apply and any forms you need to complete. This information will mention whether you need to pay an application fee, how much it is and how you can pay it.

If your project involves building a permanent structure, some states require a licensed contractor with a certificate of insurance to submit the application, meaning you need to hire a contractor and have them apply for the permit.

Prepare Your Application

Along with your personal details and location, the forms may ask you to provide detailed plans of the dock and specify its measurements and materials. You may need to conduct an environmental impact assessment, particularly if you’re building a permanent structure that will affect water flow.

Wait for Review

The authorities will review your application and decide whether to grant a permit. If your project is small and will have minimal environmental impact, this often takes a few weeks. For more extensive projects, it could take a few months or longer.

Get Your Permit

If the authorities approve your project, they’ll give you a permit and let you know how to collect it. They may also respond with a request to change your project plans before they can approve it, or they may issue your permit with conditions like maintenance standards, extra safety measures or modification restrictions.

Why Choose EZ Dock for Your Recreational Dock

If you’re considering a new dock installation, opting for a floating dock can streamline your permitting process. In some states, floating docks allow you to avoid permitting requirements altogether. Wherever you are, you can make it easier to complete your dock installation and enjoy the water with EZ Dock.

EZ Dock was founded by water enthusiasts like you, and for nearly three decades, our maintenance-free floating docks have been launching boating adventures nationwide. Our durable polyethylene docks and recycled rubber coupler system will withstand the weather and elements for years without rotting or splintering. Choose EZ Dock for a floating dock solution that’s kind to natural habitats, simple to install and saves you time on maintenance so you can spend those hours enjoying the water.

We have EZ Dock representatives serving all 50 states. Contact your local rep to discuss your needs, and we’ll create the best docking solution for your property while considering local regulations. When you’re ready to buy your dock, we’ll point you to a distributor near you to make your dream installation a reality.