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San Rafael, CA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Permit type
Tidelands Permit
Issuing agency
Dept. of Public Works
Fill/excavation ≥1 acre
Planning Commission hearing
Permit term
1 year, renewable
Covers
Piers, docks, bulkheads, breakwaters

Summary

Building or placing a pier, dock, wall, bulkhead or breakwater on San Rafael's tidelands requires a City tidelands permit from the Department of Public Works before construction: unpermitted dock work is a code violation under SRMC Title 17.

Construct or place any pier, dock, wall, bulkhead, breakwater or other structure on any of the tidelands designated in Section 17.10.020, except in compliance with Section 17.10.040.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).

Full Breakdown

San Rafael's tidelands ordinance (Title 17, Chapter 17.10) makes it unlawful to construct or place a pier, dock, wall, bulkhead, breakwater or similar structure on city tidelands, waterways, canals, beaches or salt marshes without a tidelands permit. Public Works decides applications under one acre within 90 days after neighbor notice; the Planning Commission holds a public hearing for larger projects. Permits require findings on navigation, pollution, flooding, habitat and scenic impacts, and expire one year after approval unless extended. Boat docking facilities ancillary to a single-family home are separately permitted by right under the zoning code's Water District table (SRMC §14.11.020), but construction of the physical dock structure itself still triggers the Title 17 tidelands permit.

Violations & Fines

Constructing or placing a dock, pier, wall, bulkhead or breakwater on city tidelands without an approved tidelands permit violates SRMC §17.10.030 and can result in a stop-work order plus penalties under the city's general enforcement provisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to build a private dock in San Rafael?
Yes. SRMC §17.10.030 requires a tidelands permit from the Department of Public Works before constructing or placing a pier, dock, wall, bulkhead or breakwater on city tidelands.
How long does a San Rafael tidelands permit last?
One year from approval unless a different date is set. Owners may apply to Public Works for a one-year extension before it expires, per §17.10.040(6).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Rafael

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All San Rafael rules

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