Bloomington, IL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Bloomington City Code § 23-104, in Chapter 23 (Lake Bloomington), governs boat docks on the City's water-supply reservoir. No dock may be placed, constructed, expanded or maintained without a permit from the City, approved by the Water Department Director or designee, and issued on a calendar-year basis. A dock permit is generally limited to Lake Leaseholders who maintain a residence on the leased property, with narrow additional categories for nonprofit leaseholders, marina operators, certain pre-2018 dock holders, and specific easement holders. No permit may issue for a dock within 15 feet of a neighboring lot line, extending more than 40 feet into the reservoir, or, in a cove or public access area, extending more than 25% of the cove's width.

Applications go to the Water Department with a $250 fee; renewal is annual, due by December 1 preceding the permit year, with a $50 renewal fee (waived for nonprofit or marina leaseholders). Temporary docks must come off the lake by October 31 and cannot go back in before April 1. The City caps total dock permits at 245 at any given time. Violations trigger a certified-mail notice with 30 days to correct; uncorrected violations, or an owner who accumulates three or more violation notices, can lead to permit revocation and removal of the dock at the owner's expense, appealable to the City Manager.