Jacksonville, FL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Jacksonville's docking regulations are found in Ordinance Code Chapter 615 (Docking), which primarily governs public docking at city-owned facilities. Temporary docking at designated sites on the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalk, Metropolitan Park Marina, and city-owned bulkheads and docks is regulated by the Director of Recreation and Parks. Boats docked in violation of time limits or at non-designated areas may be immediately seized and impounded by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. For private residential dock construction, Florida Statute Section 403.813(1)(b) provides a DEP permit exemption for single-family docks that: are no more than 1,000 square feet in area; do not exceed a dock length of 500 feet or more than 20% of the waterway width; are not in manatee habitat; and do not include a boat lift over 10,000 pounds. Docks exceeding these thresholds require a DEP Environmental Resource Permit. The Army Corps of Engineers (Jacksonville District) may require a Section 10/Section 404 permit for docks in navigable waters of the United States. The St. Johns River and its tributaries are navigable waters. Jacksonville's Planning and Development Department also requires a building permit for dock construction.