Seawalls, docks and boat lifts in Fort Lauderdale
Seawall, dock and lift work on Fort Lauderdale's canals and the Intracoastal.
Free Fast Quote
Please fill out this form to request a free quote on your upcoming project and we will respond to you right away!
Fort Lauderdale has its own seawall height, its own dock projection limit and a county license on top. We plan every job around all three.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Fast response from our team
- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
In Fort Lauderdale, new and substantially repaired seawalls must reach at least 5 ft NAVD88, docks and boat lifts may extend no more than 25% of the waterway width or 25 ft, whichever is less, and any work in, on, over or under Broward County waters first needs a Broward County license (City of Fort Lauderdale; Broward County).
Last updated
What makes Fort Lauderdale different
The City treats seawalls as tidal barriers. It presumes a wall is in disrepair if it lets upland soil erode, lets material pass through it, or lets tidal water flow unimpeded onto neighbours or the street, and gives owners 60 days to show progress and 365 days to finish. The City also spends $1.5 million a year on its own seawalls.[1][2]
The county layer
Broward County requires a license before any work in, on, over or under its waters, including repairing or replacing a dock or seawall. Broward's regional policy is a consistent top elevation of 5 ft NAVD for seawalls, banks and berms.[3][1]
Areas we cover around Fort Lauderdale
- Las Olas Isles
- Rio Vista
- Harbor Beach
- Coral Ridge
- Nurmi Isles
- Bay Colony
Who issues permits in Fort Lauderdale
- Broward County environmental licensing: A county license before any work in, on, over or under Broward County waters, including dock and seawall repair.
- City of Fort Lauderdale: Building permits; waivers of the dock and lift projection limit go to the City Commission with a Marine Advisory Board recommendation.
- Florida DEP or South Florida Water Management District: State permit or exemption for docks and walls on the New River and the Intracoastal, on top of the Broward County license.
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: Federal authorisation for work in the Intracoastal Waterway and other navigable waters.
Services in Fort Lauderdale
Seawalls in Fort Lauderdale
Seawall repair, replacement, new caps, raising, riprap toe protection and inspections.
Docks in Fort Lauderdale
New docks, dock repair, floating docks, pilings and composite decking.
Boat lifts in Fort Lauderdale
Boat lift installation, repair, motors and cables, jet ski lifts and servicing.
Marine construction in Fort Lauderdale
Pile driving, bulkheads, boat davits and living shorelines.
Flood protection in Fort Lauderdale
Flood barriers and panels for doors and garages, and flood vents.
Frequently asked questions
How high must a seawall be in Fort Lauderdale?
At least 5 ft NAVD88 for new and substantially repaired walls. Walls permitted before 1 January 2035 may be built at 4 ft if designed to reach 5 ft by 1 January 2050.
How far can my dock or boat lift go out in Fort Lauderdale?
No more than 25% of the waterway width or 25 ft from the property line, whichever is less, unless the City Commission grants a waiver.
Do I need a Broward County license to repair my seawall?
Yes. Broward County requires a license before any work in, on, over or under its waters, including dock and seawall repair or replacement.
Sources
- Staff Report, Planning and Zoning Board, 16 Nov 2022, Case UDP-T22010 (Tidal barrier / seawall ordinance amendment, ULDR 47-19.3), City of Fort Lauderdale. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- King Tides and High Tides, City of Fort Lauderdale. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Do I need a license to replace or repair my dock / seawall?, Broward County (311 knowledge base, Environmental Protection and Growth Management). Accessed October 28, 2026.
- City Commission Agenda Memo #26-0535: Waiver of Limitations at 1614 Brickell Drive for one boat lift (16 Jun 2026), City of Fort Lauderdale. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Community Rating System (Flood), City of Fort Lauderdale, Development Services. Accessed October 28, 2026.
- Floodproofing (glossary), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Accessed October 27, 2026.
Get a free quote
Tell us about your project and we will get back to you fast.