Seawalls, docks and boat lifts in Boca Raton
Seawall, dock and boat lift work on the Intracoastal and Lake Boca.
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Boca Raton runs its own marine structure code and a staged inspection sequence. We plan surveys and inspections into the schedule from day one.
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The short answer
Seawalls, docks and lifts in Boca Raton fall under Chapter 22 (Marine Structures) of the City Code; any new or replaced seawall or dock must sit between 4.0 and 6.0 ft NAVD88, and the City approves a location survey before a seawall cap is poured (City of Boca Raton, 2025). Work on the Intracoastal can also need state, Florida Inland Navigation District and Army Corps approval or exemption.
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What makes Boca Raton different
Plan review needs a current-conditions survey showing the seawall wet face or bulkhead line, the property line and piles, section details with the finished cap elevation, and a proposed site plan. Inspections are staged: a location survey before the cap is poured and before the structural cap and piling inspections, a final engineer report on cap elevation with photos, and a final marine structure survey for docks and lifts.[1]
Agencies beyond the City
Palm Beach County's marine structure checklist for unincorporated areas lists the outside approvals agencies expect to see: FDEP, the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) and the Army Corps, as applicable. That checklist is dated 2005, so we confirm current requirements for each job. The federal seagrass range used in dock design covers Palm Beach County waters.[3][4]
Areas we cover around Boca Raton
- Intracoastal Waterway
- Lake Boca Raton
- Boca Raton Inlet area
- Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club
Who issues permits in Boca Raton
- City of Boca Raton Development Services: Marine structure permits under City Code Chapter 22, with staged survey and engineer inspections.
- Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND): May be involved for work along the Intracoastal Waterway.
- Florida DEP or South Florida Water Management District: State permit or exemption for docks, walls and lifts on Lake Boca Raton and the Intracoastal Waterway.
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: Federal authorisation along the Intracoastal, which the Palm Beach County checklist expects to see with the building permit.
Services in Boca Raton
Seawalls in Boca Raton
Seawall repair, replacement, new caps, raising, riprap toe protection and inspections.
Docks in Boca Raton
New docks, dock repair, floating docks, pilings and composite decking.
Boat lifts in Boca Raton
Boat lift installation, repair, motors and cables, jet ski lifts and servicing.
Marine construction in Boca Raton
Pile driving, bulkheads, boat davits and living shorelines.
Flood protection in Boca Raton
Flood barriers and panels for doors and garages, and flood vents.
Frequently asked questions
What code governs seawalls in Boca Raton?
Chapter 22 (Marine Structures) of the Boca Raton City Code.
When does the City inspect a new seawall cap?
Before it is poured: the City must approve a location survey first. After construction, a final engineer report on the cap elevation, with photos, is required.
Is there a minimum seawall height in Boca Raton?
Yes. The City's Engineering Design Standards Manual sets 4.0 ft NAVD88 as the minimum for any new or replaced seawall or dock and 6.0 ft NAVD88 as the maximum, and walls must be able to take another 12 to 18 inches later.
Sources
- Seawalls and Marine Structures, City of Boca Raton. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Engineering Design Standards Manual, section 7.7 Minimum Criteria for Waterway Features (PDF modified 10 Apr 2025), City of Boca Raton. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- TYPE 8 Marine Structures (Dock, Seawall, Boatlift, Boathouse) Application Submittal Checklist, Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Department of the Army State Programmatic General Permit VI (SPGP VI), SAJ-2015-2575, State of Florida, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (document hosted by Florida DEP). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Insure Your Property, City of Boca Raton. Accessed October 28, 2026.
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