Floating docks
A floating dock that rides the tide, with a gangway down from your seawall.
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Floating docks suit deep water, big tidal ranges and owners who want an easy step on and off the boat. We install the floats, anchoring and gangway.
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- Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys
The short answer
Florida law exempts floating vessel platforms and floating boat lifts of up to 500 sq ft combined (200 sq ft in Outstanding Florida Waters) from a state permit when they are placed where seagrass is least dense. In Miami-Dade, a floating dock in tidal water still needs a DERM Class I permit, plus city approval.
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Who a floating dock suits
Owners with deep water at the wall, frequent wakes, a small boat, kayaks or a jet ski, or a seawall too high for an easy step down.
Typical project sizes
Most residential floating docks are a single platform with a gangway, comfortably under the 500 sq ft state exemption for floating platforms.
Do you need a permit for a floating dock?
Usually yes, at county and city level. Florida's exemptions cover private docks on pilings or floating up to 1,000 sq ft and floating vessel platforms up to 500 sq ft, but they do not remove county and municipal requirements. In Miami-Dade any structure over tidal water needs a DERM Class I permit.[1][2]
What goes into the install
- Float sections and decking
- Anchoring to pilings or the seawall
- Aluminium gangway with hinges for the tidal range
- Cleats, bumpers and lighting
Frequently asked questions
How long do dock floats last?
We do not have a manufacturer lifespan figure we can cite. Float life depends on the float material, sun and how often the dock grounds at low tide.
Should floating docks be removed in winter?
Not in South Florida, where the water does not freeze. Before a hurricane, follow the manufacturer's guidance and secure or remove loose sections and gangways.
Can a floating dock carry a boat lift?
Floating boat lifts and floating platforms share the 500 sq ft state exemption, so plan both together.
Sources
- Florida Statutes 2026, Section 403.813: Permits issued at district centers; exceptions, The Florida Legislature (Online Sunshine). 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.
- Cost to Build a Dock (updated 31 Jan 2025), Fixr.com (secondary national cost guide). Accessed October 27, 2026.
- Dock Permitting in Florida: Permit Application Fee Schedule and Aquatic Preserve Design Criteria, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Accessed October 27, 2026.
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