Brevard County, FL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit
- County building permit required
- Side setback
- 7.5 feet minimum
- Deck size cap
- 400 sq ft uncovered
- Combined cap
- 600 sq ft deck plus roof
- Projection limit
- 20% of waterway width or 30 ft
Summary
Residential boat docks in unincorporated Brevard need a county building permit and public works site plan approval, plus they must meet strict size, height, projection and setback limits.
A building permit shall be obtained for the construction of a covered boat dock, boat dock or pier located in canals, drainage easements and drainage rights-of-way in the unincorporated areas of the county. ... The deck of the dock, pier, boat lift or covered boat dock ... shall not exceed 400 square feet in size. ... in no case shall the area defined by the deck together with the roofed area exceed 600 square feet.
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 boat dock, covered boat dock or pier built in a canal, drainage easement or drainage right-of-way in unincorporated Brevard needs a building permit and, per Brevard County Code § 62-2118, a site plan approved by public works (or the county commission if it may block drainage flow). Docks must stay 7.5 feet off the side property line, may project no more than 20% of the waterway width or 30 feet, and are capped at 400 square feet of uncovered deck, 500 square feet of covered roof area, and 600 square feet combined. An Army Corps of Engineers permit is also required where applicable.
Violations & Fines
Owners must keep docks from becoming dilapidated, deteriorated, structurally unsound or a safety hazard; the county building division can pursue code enforcement, and a dock built past setback or size limits without approval isn't grandfathered unless it predates the current standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a boat dock in unincorporated Brevard County?
How big can a residential boat dock be in Brevard County?
Does this dock rule apply in Cocoa Beach or Cape Canaveral?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida environmental rules overview
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