Seawalls, docks and boat lifts in Miami Beach
Seawall raising, repair, docks and lifts to Miami Beach's rules.
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Miami Beach has some of the strictest seawall rules in Florida. We plan every job around the 5.7 ft NAVD standard, the substantial repair test and the city's grant program.
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- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
Miami Beach requires new seawalls and substantial seawall repairs, meaning those costing $300 or more per linear foot, to reach 5.7 ft NAVD, or 4 ft NAVD if designed to be raised to 5.7 ft later (City of Miami Beach, 2025). Owners cited for a wall that lets tidal water over or through it have 60 days to show progress and 730 days to finish.
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What makes Miami Beach different
The city has about 55 miles of seawall, of which only about 5 miles are publicly owned, so most of it is the responsibility of private owners. Its seawall ordinance dates from Resolution R2016-4009 in May 2016, was strengthened in January 2021 and amended again in July 2025.[1][3]
Groundwater and flooding
The city notes that groundwater rises through the porous bedrock under Miami Beach, so a seawall alone cannot stop flooding. A raised wall stops tidal overtopping; drainage and flood protection handle the rest.[4]
Areas we cover around Miami Beach
- Sunset Islands
- Venetian Islands
- La Gorce
- Normandy Isles
- Biscayne Point
- North Beach
Who issues permits in Miami Beach
- City of Miami Beach Building Department: Building permit with a site plan, structural plans and an elevation certification.
- Miami-Dade DERM, Coastal Resources Section: Class I permit or exemption for seawalls, docks and lifts on the island canals and the bay, issued alongside the City permit. Phone (305) 372-6575.
- Florida DEP or South Florida Water Management District: State review where a dock or wall reaches open Biscayne Bay, part of the aquatic preserve, where FDEP's free online self-certification is not available.
- US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: Federal authorisation for work in Biscayne Bay and Indian Creek; we confirm the small-project route since SPGP VI's stated July 2026 expiry.
Services in Miami Beach
Seawalls in Miami Beach
Seawall repair, replacement, new caps, raising, riprap toe protection and inspections.
Docks in Miami Beach
New docks, dock repair, floating docks, pilings and composite decking.
Boat lifts in Miami Beach
Boat lift installation, repair, motors and cables, jet ski lifts and servicing.
Marine construction in Miami Beach
Pile driving, bulkheads, boat davits and living shorelines.
Flood protection in Miami Beach
Flood barriers and panels for doors and garages, and flood vents.
Frequently asked questions
How high must my seawall be in Miami Beach?
5.7 ft NAVD for new walls and substantial repairs, or 4 ft NAVD if the wall is designed to support a future raise to 5.7 ft.
Can Miami Beach fine me over my seawall?
Yes. After a citation, fines are $250 for a first offence and then $500 per day, with 10 days to appeal.
Is there a grant for seawalls in Miami Beach?
Yes. The Private Property Adaptation program reimburses 50% of eligible costs up to $20,000, and accepts seawall applications on a rolling basis until capacity is reached.
Sources
- Seawall FAQs (Miami Beach Rising Above, PDF dated 6.16.25), City of Miami Beach. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Private Property Adaptation (PPA) program, City of Miami Beach (Miami Beach Rising Above). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Seawalls (Public Infrastructure), City of Miami Beach (Miami Beach Rising Above). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Rising Above the Risk: Frequently Asked Questions (05/05/2017), City of Miami Beach. 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.
- Press release: Miami Beach Receives Improved Class 5 Rating from FEMA (3 April 2019), City of Miami Beach, Department of Marketing and Communications. Accessed October 28, 2026.
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