Monroe County, FL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Section 118-12 of the Land Development Code governs shoreline setbacks and docking facilities across unincorporated Monroe County, from Key Largo through Stock Island and the Lower Keys. Its stated purpose is to allow reasonable land-to-water access, secure boat storage, protect water quality, preserve community character and over-water views, guard against long-term sea level rise, prevent erosion, and protect marine and terrestrial resources. S. Army Corps of Engineers permits, in addition to the county permit or Notice to Proceed. The core dimensional limit is the ten-percent rule: a dock cannot exceed ten percent of the width of the waterbody, measured laterally across the water from the mean low water point at the proposed dock location to the opposing mean low water point, both measured as they existed before any dock was built.

A dock together with any moored vessel or lift may not occupy more than 25 percent of the waterbody's navigable width. Side setbacks generally require pier-type and T- or L-style docks to keep every part of the structure, including the terminal platform, at least 5 feet from side property lines extended into the water. Terminal platforms are capped at 160 square feet and 8 feet in one dimension, and docks over seagrass beds or hardbottom communities need a minimum 4-foot water depth above the resource with the pier elevated at least 5 feet above mean high water. Marginal docks running the shoreline are capped at 8 feet wide or ten percent of the waterbody width, whichever is smaller.