Merced County, CA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Baseline permit
- Administrative Permit, Chapter 18.114
- Possible escalation
- CUP at director's discretion
- Governing section
- Merced County Code § 18.10.040(H)
- Applicable zones
- A-1, A-1-40, A-2 agricultural zones
Summary
Marinas, boat docks, and launches in unincorporated Merced County's agricultural zones need at minimum an Administrative Permit under Table 2-1, and Section 18.10.040(H) lets the planning director bump that up to a full Conditional Use Permit whenever the director decides a CUP is warranted. There is no by-right dock use anywhere in the ag zones.
Marina, Boat Dock, or Launch A § 18.10.040H ...
H. Marinas, Boat Docks, Launches. A Conditional Use Permit may be required at the discretion of the director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
114 rather than a by-right use. 040(H) itself reads in full: 'Marinas, Boat Docks, Launches. 116, with the accompanying public hearing and discretionary findings, whenever the director judges the individual project warrants that heavier review. 122 on top of whichever land use permit applies. No provision in the Agricultural Zone table allows a marina, boat dock, or launch by right; every dock proposal on agriculturally zoned land in the unincorporated county starts at Administrative Permit review and can be pushed to a Conditional Use Permit at the director's discretion.
Violations & Fines
Constructing or operating a marina, boat dock, or launch on agriculturally zoned land in unincorporated Merced County without the Administrative Permit required by Table 2-1, or without the Conditional Use Permit if the director has required one under Section 18.10.040(H), is a zoning violation subject to code enforcement action and can require removal of the unpermitted structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a boat dock on agricultural land in Merced County?
Can the county require a full Conditional Use Permit for a dock instead of an Administrative Permit?
Does a boat dock need any other approval besides the land use permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California environmental rules overview
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