Seawalls, docks and boat lifts in Coral Gables
Seawall and dock work to Coral Gables' 6 ft rule and permit steps.
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Coral Gables has its own bulkhead height, its own dock submittal rules and a fee incentive for living seawalls. We build every job around them.
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The short answer
Coral Gables requires bulkheads and seawalls at a minimum of 6 ft NGVD 1929, structurally able to support 7.5 ft (Coral Gables City Attorney, 2022), and dock plans need Miami-Dade DERM's preliminary approval before the City looks at them. Living seawalls built with pH-neutral cement or retrofit panels get a 20% cut in city permit fees under Resolution 2025-342.
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What makes Coral Gables different
Dock, mooring and wharf plans must show dimensions across the waterway, existing mangroves and the installation method, and carry DERM's preliminary approval; revised plans need a DERM stamp again. Properties in Cocoplum Section II must include a copy of the Cocoplum dock plan. The City also asks for a notarised Public Works permit application, colour photos of existing conditions and a survey.[2]
Fee incentives
Under Resolution 2025-342, living seawalls with pH-neutral cement or modular retrofit panels qualify for a 20% reduction in city permit fees, and a separate fee waiver applies to existing homes making seawall improvements to address sea level rise.[3]
Areas we cover around Coral Gables
- Cocoplum
- Gables Estates
- Snapper Creek waterways
- Coral Gables Waterway
Who issues permits in Coral Gables
- Miami-Dade DERM, Coastal Resources Section: Class I permit, plus the preliminary approval the City asks to see before it looks at any dock or wall plans. Phone (305) 372-6575.
- City of Coral Gables Development Services and Public Works: Building and Public Works permits for seawalls, bulkheads and docks, after DERM preliminary approval.
- Florida DEP or South Florida Water Management District: State permit or exemption for docks and walls on the Gables canals and the bay, where aquatic preserve rules apply to open bay frontage.
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: Federal authorisation for bayfront and canal work, confirmed for each job since SPGP VI's stated July 2026 expiry.
Services in Coral Gables
Seawalls in Coral Gables
Seawall repair, replacement, new caps, raising, riprap toe protection and inspections.
Docks in Coral Gables
New docks, dock repair, floating docks, pilings and composite decking.
Boat lifts in Coral Gables
Boat lift installation, repair, motors and cables, jet ski lifts and servicing.
Marine construction in Coral Gables
Pile driving, bulkheads, boat davits and living shorelines.
Flood protection in Coral Gables
Flood barriers and panels for doors and garages, and flood vents.
Frequently asked questions
What is the seawall height in Coral Gables?
A minimum of 6 ft NGVD 1929, and the wall must be able to support 7.5 ft. A 2022 City Attorney opinion corrected an earlier reference to NAVD.
Does DERM approve my dock before Coral Gables does?
Yes. The City requires DERM's preliminary approval on dock, mooring and wharf plans before it looks at them.
Are there cheaper permits for living seawalls in Coral Gables?
Yes. Resolution 2025-342 cuts city permit fees by 20% for living seawalls using pH-neutral cement or modular retrofit panels.
Sources
- CAO 2022-007: Legal Opinion Regarding Scrivener's Error in Zoning Code 3-706 Bulkheads and Retaining Walls (17 Aug 2022), City of Coral Gables, City Attorney. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Permit Requirements for Development Services (rev. 07.22.2026), section Docks/Moorings/Wharves, City of Coral Gables Development Services Department. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Solar, Open Air Dining, and Other Permits, City of Coral Gables. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Class I Permit Application for Coastal Construction and Mangrove Trimming within Miami-Dade County (Revised May 2025), Miami-Dade County RER, Division of Environmental Resources Management (DERM), Coastal Resources Section. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Datums for station 8723289, Cutler, Biscayne Bay (tidal epoch 1983 to 2001), NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), Tides and Currents. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Datums for station 8723170, Miami Harbor Entrance (tidal epoch 1983 to 2001), NOAA Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), Tides and Currents. Accessed October 28, 2026.
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