Dock construction in Miami Beach

Who this is for

Owners adding a first dock, replacing a dock that is beyond repair, or redesigning a dock for a new boat or lift.

Narrow island canals and the 25% rule

On the narrower Miami Beach canals, DERM's short form allows a dock, lift or davit to reach no more than 25% of the waterway width. DERM also uses a D-5 boundary to protect a neighbour's view and access, so it may ask for a letter of consent from the lot next door.

We design new docks to that limit first, then fit the boat and the lift around it.[1]

Two permits, one elevation certificate

A Miami Beach seawall or dock job needs a City building permit with a site plan, structural plans and an elevation certification, plus Miami-Dade DERM Coastal Resources approval. FDEP and the Army Corps come in where the work reaches state or federal waters, which on the island canals is common.

A new dock needs the full drawing set, so we start on surveys while the design is settled.[2]

Bay-side lots and the aquatic preserve

Lots that face open Biscayne Bay rather than a dredged canal sit on the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, which counts as Outstanding Florida Waters. There the state dock exemption is 500 sq ft of over-water area, and the preserve says manatees move into the bay in the cooler months.

A bottom survey comes before the layout so the dock clears any grass.[3][4][5]

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.[2][7]

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.[8]

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.

How a new dock gets built

1. Survey of the shoreline, water depth and any seagrass
2. Design and engineered drawings
3. County, city and state approvals
4. Pilings driven or jetted, with manatee precautions
5. Framing, decking, cleats and lighting
6. Final inspections

Seagrass and dock design

In Johnson's seagrass range, which runs from Palm Bay south to central Biscayne Bay, docks over seagrass must follow federal minor piling-supported structure guidelines. In aquatic preserves a single-family dock is limited to a 4 ft wide walkway and a 160 sq ft terminal platform, and may not extend more than 500 ft or 20% of the waterbody width.[11][5]

Neighbours and view lines

Miami-Dade uses a D-5 boundary to protect neighbours' view and access. A dock beyond it may need consent letters from adjacent owners.[1]

Frequently asked questions