Planning a seawall or dock in Palm Beach? The water views are worth it, yet the permits, design choices and timing can feel complex. You want to protect your shoreline, enhance your lifestyle, and avoid delays. In this guide, you’ll learn how approvals work, what to prepare, and when to schedule work to keep your project moving. Let’s dive in.
Who regulates your project
You’ll work with multiple agencies. The Town of Palm Beach issues local marine structure permits and recently updated its Marine Structures rules, so your plans must match current specifications and definitions. Review the Town’s Planning, Zoning & Building resources and recent Marine Structures updates before you start.
- Explore local submittals and permit portals on the Town’s Planning, Zoning & Building page: Town of Palm Beach PZB
- See the Town’s Marine Structures update summary: Chapter 62 update overview
County, state and federal agencies also play roles. Palm Beach County may review building, floodplain and beachfront lighting, especially where county rules overlap. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) handles the Coastal Construction Control Line program and authorizations on sovereign submerged lands. South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) issues Environmental Resource Permits for dredge, fill and surface water impacts. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates structures and dredge or fill in navigable waters.
- County permit information: Palm Beach County Permit Center
- State coastal permits and CCCL guidance: FDEP CCCL program
- Environmental Resource Permits and pre-application meetings: SFWMD ERP
- Federal permit overview and Nationwide Permits: USACE Regulatory Program
When permits are required
Common triggers
- New seawalls, full replacements, or major repairs that involve in-water work, tie-backs, toe protection or any activity on sovereign submerged lands.
- New or expanded docks, gangways, finger piers, boat lifts or roofed structures. Size, location relative to mean high water and the number of slips affect reviews.
- Dredging for access, basin deepening or channel improvements, which typically trigger ERP and USACE review.
- Riprap, revetments, or shoreline stabilization that alters submerged lands or the shoreline.
What reviewers look for
Agencies typically ask for a current boundary and topographic survey showing mean high and low water lines and the existing bulkhead. You’ll submit sealed engineering plans with structural calculations, plus construction methods and turbidity controls. Where seagrass or other sensitive habitat may be present, expect bathymetry and benthic surveys and mitigation plans if impacts are unavoidable.
- Dredge and fill guidance, surveys and mitigation: FDEP ERP dredging and filling
- CCCL and joint coastal permitting forms: FDEP CCCL guidance
Permit roadmap and realistic timing
Phase 1: Pre-application
Engage a coastal engineer and experienced marine contractor early. Schedule pre-application conversations with the Town and SFWMD or FDEP to confirm scope, surveys and habitat needs. Order your certified survey and any required seagrass or benthic studies to avoid later requests.
- Shorten review with early coordination: SFWMD pre-application options
Phase 2: Submittal and review
File a coordinated package that covers Town, FDEP, SFWMD and USACE requirements. General permits can move faster, but many projects take several weeks to several months, especially if dredging or habitat impacts are involved. USACE pre-construction notifications under Nationwide Permits often run about 45 to 60 days when complete, while individual reviews can take longer.
- State coastal authorizations and timelines: FDEP CCCL program
- Federal processing basics: USACE Regulatory Program
Phase 3: Local permit issuance and construction
Local building permits often issue after state and federal authorizations, so plan for parallel reviews. Add time for inspections and contractor scheduling. Monitor your submittals through the Town and County portals to keep momentum.
- Local and county permit portals: Town of Palm Beach PZB and Palm Beach County Permit Center
Seasonal and environmental constraints
Sea turtle nesting runs March 1 through October 31 in Palm Beach County. Expect lighting limits on the oceanfront and added conditions for coastal work during this period. Many owners target work windows outside peak nesting to reduce constraints.
- Turtle season reference: FWC nesting season update
Manatees are protected in local waters. Permits often require slow speeds for construction vessels, on-site observers, temporary signage and limits on night work. Some areas include specific in-water work windows to avoid sensitive periods.
- Manatee zones and rules: FWC Rule 68C-22.009
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30) overlaps turtle season and can affect labor, materials, and barge schedules. Build a buffer into your timeline and coordinate with your contractor on weather contingencies.
Design choices that affect cost and approvals
Seawalls: structure and resilience
Common solutions include reinforced concrete walls, vinyl or steel sheet pile, stone revetments and, where appropriate, living shoreline approaches. The right choice depends on exposure, access, costs and environmental context. Designers increasingly set higher cap elevations and include robust toe and scour protection to align with local resiliency goals. The Town has advanced higher-elevation public seawall projects, which signals expectations for long-term performance.
- Local resiliency context: Town seawall and resiliency discussion
Docks: footprint and function
Floating docks can reduce seabed footprint compared with larger fixed structures, but pilings and shore connections still matter. Municipal rules limit widths, terminal platform sizes and lighting to protect neighbors and wildlife. Recent Town updates clarified definitions and dimensions, so confirm your design matches current code.
- Town Marine Structures update summary: Chapter 62 update overview
Owner checklist: your best next steps
- Engage a coastal engineer and an experienced marine contractor early. Request pre-application input from the Town and SFWMD or FDEP.
- Order a current certified survey showing mean high and low water lines, bulkhead location and upland structures.
- Commission seagrass and benthic habitat surveys where needed. Plan to avoid or minimize impacts and include mitigation if unavoidable.
- Prepare sealed engineering drawings and structural calculations. Outline construction methods, turbidity controls and any dredge or fill quantities.
- Submit a coordinated package for Town, FDEP, SFWMD and USACE review. Keep documents consistent across agencies and respond quickly to information requests.
- Build scheduling buffers for turtle season, manatee conditions, hurricane season and contractor availability.
A well-planned dock or seawall improves lifestyle and protects value. If you’re weighing how a waterfront improvement might influence your sale timeline or acquisition strategy, connect with Matt Johnson for calm, data-backed guidance.
FAQs
Do you need both Town and state or federal permits for a Palm Beach dock?
- Most projects require a Town building permit plus state (FDEP and often SFWMD ERP) and, for in-water work, a federal USACE authorization, so plan for coordinated reviews.
How long do Palm Beach seawall or dock permits take?
- Simple projects can move in weeks, but many take several months, especially if dredging or habitat is involved; USACE Nationwide Permit notifications often run 45 to 60 days when complete.
What is the best time of year to schedule marine construction in Palm Beach?
- Many owners target late fall or early spring to avoid peak hurricane and turtle nesting season, while also honoring any manatee work windows set in permits.
What documents should you have before hiring a marine contractor?
- A current certified survey, sealed engineering concept, and any needed seagrass or benthic surveys help you scope cost, reduce permit questions and shorten review.
What design choices can shorten permitting and reduce risk?
- Designs that minimize seabed footprint, avoid dredging, comply with Town dimensions and protect seagrass typically review faster and come with fewer conditions.
