Macon-Bibb County, GA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Section 17-55 governs docks, boathouses and seawalls along the county-owned Tobesofkee Recreation Area shoreline. An applicant must first submit an application to the Manager of the Tobesofkee Recreation Area, including the proposed location, length and height of the structure and construction plans and specifications adequate for the department of business development services to confirm code compliance. The Manager forwards the application to the Macon-Bibb County Engineering Department for a site visit and location review; only after engineering approval does business development services examine construction-code compliance and issue the construction permit, subject to fees under that department's procedures.

Section 17-55(d) then layers on numeric limits: no dock or boathouse may be built where there is less than 100 feet of shoreline frontage at the 360-foot contour line, measured pin to pin; a dock cannot extend more than 40 feet from that contour line or reach a water depth greater than ten feet, whichever distance is shorter; and no dock may occupy more than 25 percent of the width of a slough or cove. Floating docks and boathouses are barred outright, only one dock or boathouse is allowed per lot, and permit holders must also carry the separate annual permit required by Section 17-54 for any dock or boathouse below the 369-foot contour line. If construction does not substantially begin within six months of final approval, the permit expires and a new application is required.