Dock builders in Miami

Docks over Biscayne Bay

Biscayne Bay, the Miami River and Little River are state-owned submerged lands. In the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, FDEP's free online exemption self-certification is not available and single-family docks are limited to a 4 ft walkway, a 160 sq ft terminal platform and no more than 500 ft or 20% of the waterbody width.[1][2]

Neighbours and the D-5 boundary

DERM's D-5 boundary protects neighbours' view and access. A Miami dock that reaches beyond it may need consent letters from adjacent owners.[1]

Bayfront lots sit on Outstanding Florida Waters

The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve covers 64,607 acres from the Oleta River to Card Sound and is treated as Outstanding Florida Waters. On open bay frontage that halves the state dock exemption to 500 sq ft of over-water area, against 1,000 sq ft on an artificial canal, and seagrass damage in the preserve can bring a fine of up to $1,000.

Grass and hard bottom decide where the dock can go and how high it sits.[3][4][2]

What makes Miami waterfront work different

Most of Biscayne Bay and its natural tributaries, including the Miami River and Little River, are state-owned submerged lands, so docks over them need the state's consent alongside the DERM permit. The Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve is listed by DERM as a permitting contact, and FDEP's free online dock self-certification is not available in aquatic preserves. The federal seagrass range used in dock design reaches central Biscayne Bay.[1][2][5]

City of Miami seawall height

In 2020 the City considered an ordinance (File 7338) to set a 6 ft NAVD 88 minimum for new and rebuilt seawalls east of US-1, outside the Miami River. We have not confirmed that it was adopted, so for every Miami seawall job we confirm the current height rule with the City before design.[6]

Permits for docks in Miami

• Miami-Dade DERM, Coastal Resources Section: Class I permit for any work in, on or over tidal water, the Miami River included, with exempt, expedited and short-form routes for small jobs. Phone (305) 372-6575.
• City of Miami Building Department: Structural and zoning approval for seawalls, docks and lifts inside city limits.
• Florida DEP or South Florida Water Management District: State permit or exemption, and consent to use the state-owned bottom of Biscayne Bay, the Miami River and Little River, which DERM grants for most of the bay on the state's behalf.
• US Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District: Federal sign-off for work in the bay and the river. SPGP VI, the small-project route, passed its stated 27 July 2026 expiry, so we confirm the current route for each job.

How big can my dock be?

It depends on where you are. Florida's statutory exemption covers private docks up to 1,000 sq ft of over-water area, or 500 sq ft in Outstanding Florida Waters, with one exempt dock per 65 ft of shoreline. Over-water area includes roofs, boat canopies, elevated platforms and decking. In Miami-Dade a single-family dock on the short-form permit may not protrude more than 25% of the waterway width.[4][2][1]

Docks over state-owned water

Most of Biscayne Bay and its natural tributaries, including the Miami River, Little River, Oleta River and Arch Creek, are state-owned submerged lands. A dock there needs the state's consent, which DERM can grant on the state's behalf for qualifying projects. FDEP requires structures to sit at least 25 ft inside riparian lines (10 ft for marginal docks), with exceptions.[1][2]

Frequently asked questions