Palm Coast, FL Environmental Rules: Shoreline Management (2026)

Riparian (waterfront) property along the Intracoastal Waterway and Palm Coast's approximately 23 miles of navigable ITT-era saltwater canals carries common-law riparian rights of view, ingress/egress, navigation, and reasonable use of the water — recognized at FS 253.141 — but those rights are exercised inside a tight regulatory framework. The City of Palm Coast Building Division reviews shoreline structures (seawalls, riprap revetments, bulkheads, docks, piers) against the City of Palm Coast Technical Manual Section 5 (Engineering Design Standards) — which contains Section 1100 'Preservation and Protection of Shores and Channels' and Drawings 1100.A (Saltwater Canal Typical Seawall) and 1100.B (Saltwater Canal Typical Bulkhead). Contact: Building Division, (386) 986-3780, Buildingdivision@palmcoastgov.com. Beyond the city permit, SJRWMD issues an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) under FS 373.4131 and FAC 62-330 for any 'system' that alters surface water flows, including most shoreline armoring; SJRWMD applies water-quality, secondary-impact, and cumulative-impact tests. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District Regulatory Division administers Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (1899) for any structure in navigable waters and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for dredged or fill material — the ICW is federally maintained and navigable. Sovereign submerged lands waterward of the mean high water line are owned by the State of Florida and held in trust by TIITF; any structure on or over those lands requires a lease, easement, or letter of consent under FS 253.04 / 253.115 (FAC 18-21). Standard FDEP/SJRWMD riparian setback guidance is 25 feet from neighboring riparian lines unless waived by the adjacent owner. Manatee protection zones are enforced by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) under FAC 68C-22 throughout the ICW corridor adjacent to Palm Coast.