Pompano Beach, FL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

02 makes it unlawful to construct, repair, erect, or install mooring structures or similar marine infrastructure in the city's canals, waterways, rivers, or basins without first getting an engineering permit from the City Engineer and a building permit under Chapter 152. S. 813. Replacing structural elements like pilings, sub-stringers, stringers, or ledgers requires a permit, though replacing 25% or less of existing decking in a calendar year is exempt. The engineering fee is 4% of the construction cost, with a $100 minimum, and plans must be prepared by a Florida-licensed engineer with as-built drawings submitted before final city acceptance.

03 sets the physical limits: no mooring structure may sit within five feet of an extended side property line or extend into the navigational channel. In waterways 50 feet wide or less, fixed or floating docks cannot extend more than five feet waterward of the measurement reference line, while vessel davits, hoists, and lifts may extend to the navigational channel. In waterways over 50 feet wide, fixed docks and wharves may extend 10% of the waterway's width or eight feet, whichever is less; finger piers may extend 20% of the width or 20 feet, whichever is less, capped at four feet wide with at least 25 feet between piers.

Vessel lifts in a raised position may extend up to 28 feet. Nonconforming structures destroyed by fire, casualty, or force majeure must be rebuilt to current standards, but properly permitted structures needing repairs affecting 50% or less of combined structural elements may remain in their existing nonconforming configuration. 03(B) and (C) setback and channel limits cannot be varianced at all.