Miami-Dade County, FL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit type
- DERM Class I permit
- Short-form eligibility
- protrusion ≤25% of waterway width
- Min. boat slip depth
- 4 ft at mean low water
- Scope
- Countywide, incl. 34 municipalities
- Standard-form trigger
- 50+ boat slips or over 25% width
Summary
Miami-Dade County requires a DERM environmental permit before building any dock, davit, boat lift, mooring or fender pile in tidal waters, with a streamlined short-form process for single-family homes.
A short form permit application may be accepted by the Department for the following types of work: ... (2) Construction or the placement of a single-family residence fixed or floating dock, davit, boat lift, mooring or fender pile, all of which are associated with a single family residence provided that none of the foregoing protrude into the water more than twenty-five (25) percent of the width of the waterway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Any dock, davit, boat lift, mooring pile or fender pile placed in tidal waters, submerged bay bottom lands or wetlands anywhere in Miami-Dade County needs a Class I permit from the Department (Environmental Resources Management) under Chapter 24, Article IV. Single-family homeowners qualify for the streamlined short-form application if the structure does not protrude more than 25 percent into the width of the waterway; larger facilities, or any dock system creating 50 or more boat slips, go through the standard-form process with Board of County Commissioners review. New boat slips must have at least four feet of water depth at mean low water. The permit rule applies countywide, including inside the 34 municipalities, separate from any city building sign-off.
Violations & Fines
Placing a dock, lift or mooring pile without the required DERM permit is unlawful under the Code; the Department can suspend the work, require removal, and refer the case for code-enforcement penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a small residential dock in Miami-Dade?
How deep does the water need to be for a new boat slip?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami-Dade County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami-Dade County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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