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Broward County · Seawalls

What are the seawall requirements in Broward County?

5.0ft NAVD88 minimum (4.0 if applied for before 2035)

Broward is the only one of the four counties we cover with a countywide seawall standard, and the number most people quote is the wrong one. The minimum is 5 ft NAVD88. The 4 ft figure you will hear is an allowance: an application filed before 1 January 2035 may be permitted at 4 ft, if the barrier is built to reach 5 ft by 1 January 2050. It is not a floor you are entitled to, and cities answer it differently, so the number that applies to you is your city's.

Source: Broward County Code Ch. 39, Art. XXV, Secs. 39-404 to 39-408 (Ord. No. 2020-11, 3-31-20; Municode Supp. 72); Broward County "Build It High, Keep It Dry" regional standard guidance (adoption deadline); City of Hollywood Code Sec. 150.30 (Ord. O-2022-01); Fort Lauderdale ULDR Sec. 47-19.13; Pompano Beach Code § 151.05; Deerfield Beach LDC Sec. 98-87(d)(4)b; Hillsboro Beach Code Sec. 12-268 · Verified 2026-10

The detail

The standardTidal flood barriers must have a minimum elevation of 5 ft NAVD88. Broward County Code Sec. 39-407(a).
The 2035 allowanceApplications for new or substantially repaired barriers submitted before 1 January 2035 may be permitted at 4 ft NAVD88, if designed and constructed to accommodate 5 ft NAVD88 by 1 January 2050. Sec. 39-407(a).
It is not a rightThe code says such applications may be permitted, and Article XXV defines may as permissive. Budget for 5 ft and treat 4 ft as the exception you have to ask for. Secs. 39-406, 39-407(a).
Where it comes fromBroward County Code Chapter 39, Article XXV, Resiliency Standards for Tidal Flood Protection, Secs. 39-404 to 39-408, adopted by Ord. No. 2020-11 on 31 March 2020. Sec. 39-407 sets the elevations; Sec. 39-404 is the purpose statement. Broward County Land Use Plan Policy 2.21.7 sits behind it.
Every city had to adopt itThe county's own guidance says local governments were required to adopt an implementing ordinance by 13 February 2022.
Fort Lauderdale5.0 ft NAVD88 minimum with the same pre-2035 4 ft route, and a cap: the base flood elevation or 6.0 ft NAVD88, whichever is lower. ULDR 47-19.13.D(1), D(12).
Hollywood5 ft NAVD88 minimum with the same pre-2035 4 ft route, plus at least one cubic yard per linear foot of riprap or approved habitat enhancement, and a review of the standard due by 2034. Code Sec. 150.30.
Pompano Beach5 ft NAVD88 minimum and 5 ft 10 in maximum, with no pre-2035 4 ft route in its text. Code § 151.05(A).
Not the only capSeveral Broward cities set a maximum as well as a minimum: Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach (7 ft NAVD88 or the required finished grade, whichever is higher, LDC 98-87(d)(4)b) and Hillsboro Beach (the property's base flood elevation, Code Sec. 12-268(D)).
Selling a waterfront homeSale contracts for property in tidally influenced areas executed after 31 December 2020 must carry the county disclosure in capitalised bold type of at least 14 point. Sec. 39-408.
The practical pointBuild to 4 ft today and the wall has to come up again before 2050. Ask what it costs to build to 5 ft now, while the barge is already there.

Your city's height sheet

The elevation your city requires, the datum it is measured in, and the section of code that says so. One page.

Available for the cities whose rule we have verified and sourced.

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Your city, specifically

73 published across 12 cities: Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach, Sea Ranch Lakes, Wilton Manors.

Seawall height requirement

Dania Beach5.0 ft NAVD88Deerfield Beach5.0 ft NAVD88, and no more than 7.0Fort Lauderdale5.0 ft NAVD88, capped at BFE or 6.0Hallandale Beach5.0 ft NAVD88Hillsboro Beach5.0 ft NAVD88, max BFE (7.0 if BFE is 5.0)Hollywood5.0 ft NAVD88 (4.0 if applied for before 2035)Lauderdale-by-the-Sea5.0 ft NAVD88Oakland Park5.0 ft NAVD88Pompano Beach5.0 ft NAVD88 minimumSea Ranch Lakes5.0 ft NAVD88

Seawall permit process

Dania BeachYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseDeerfield BeachYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseFort LauderdaleYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseHallandale BeachYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseHillsboro BeachYes, plus county license town permit + county licenseHollywoodYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseLauderdale-by-the-SeaYes, plus county license town permit + county licenseLighthouse PointYes, plus county license city permit + county licenseOakland ParkYes, plus county license city permit + county licensePompano BeachYes, plus county license city engineering + building permits + county licenseSea Ranch LakesYes, plus county license village permit + county licenseWilton ManorsYes, plus county license city permit + county license

Flood zone & elevation

Deerfield Beach18-24 in above road, never below FIRM residential first floor vs adjacent road centerlineFort LauderdaleBFE +1 ft (state code) lowest floor above base flood elevation; no extra city freeboardHallandale BeachFBC or 18 in above crown residential lowest floor, whichever is higherHillsboro Beach100-yr flood criteria map floor lowest living floor level-of-service standardHollywoodFBC elevation or 18 in above crown residential lowest floorPompano BeachBFE +1 ft or 18 in above crown whichever is higher, residential lowest floorSea Ranch LakesBFE +1 ft (state code) no village freeboard foundWilton Manors+2 ft above BFE (and 6 ft NAVD) minimum freeboard; maximum 4 ft

Dock permit & size limits

Dania Beach10% of waterway width or 20 ft whichever is smaller; 5 ft on waterways 50 ft or narrowerDeerfield Beach10% of waterway width dock; dock + boat together max 25%Fort Lauderdale25% of waterway width or 25 ft whichever is less, from the property lineHallandale Beach5 ft from the seawall lots over 40 ft wide; 20 ft on lots 40 ft or narrowerHillsboro BeachSet by the Army Corps Intracoastal only; no docks on the oceanLauderdale-by-the-Sea10% of waterway width or 8 ft whichever is less; 15 ft on the IntracoastalOakland Park10% of waterway width or 15 ft whichever is less; no docks on waterways under 50 ftPompano Beach10% of waterway width or 8 ft whichever is less, on waterways over 50 ft wideWilton Manors25% of waterway width or 25 ft mooring piles; boats max 25% of width

Boat lift rules

Dania BeachAllowed; submersible lift 25% / 15 ft guide pole requiredDeerfield BeachAllowed; 1 lift under 100 ft frontage, 2 above 10 ft / 25 ft from bisecting linesFort LauderdaleAllowed, one per 100 ft of lot width mooring device + 1 PWC lift; 6.5 ft max heightHallandale BeachDavits allowed 10 ft from side line 2 ft on lots 40 ft wide or lessHillsboro BeachDavits allowed on the Intracoastal only may exceed dock heightLauderdale-by-the-SeaAllowed; 25% on canals, 20% or 20 ft on the ICW fully raised; guide poleOakland ParkAllowed as a listed mooring structure; no covers 25% of waterway; none under 50 ftPompano BeachAllowed; up to 28 ft out (raised) fully raised, from measurement reference lineSea Ranch LakesNo lift rule; Intracoastal structures need Army Corps plans interior lots: no docksWilton ManorsAllowed with a building permit 3 ft from side line; guide pole

Waterfront deck requirements

Dania Beach0 ft rear setback for pool and pool deck on a canal or waterwayDeerfield Beach0 ft at-grade decking may extend to the waterfront property lineFort Lauderdale10 ft from the waterway for shade structures, screen enclosures and tall planters; decks per heightHillsboro Beach15 ft from the Intracoastal right-of-way line or seawall for pools and buildings; flat patios may reach itHollywood0 ft rear and side deck setback where the lot is adjacent to waterLauderdale-by-the-Sea0 ft decks may extend to the waterway plot lineWilton Manors3 ft deck setback from front, side and rear lines (measured to the edge of the deck)

Checking a marine contractor

Dania BeachRegistration form required plus the qualifier's driver's licenceFort LauderdaleRegister first licence + insurance kept current in LauderBuildHallandale BeachFile and update yearly state licence or Broward card + county occupational licenceHillsboro BeachRegister in Community Core 'Apply for Contractor Licenses'HollywoodRegister in Accela contractor record with licence, BTR and insuranceLauderdale-by-the-SeaCredentials on record every contractor and sub, with a county BTRLighthouse PointFour matching documents licence, BTR, liability and comp, filed with the cityOakland ParkBroward or state only no licences from other boards; $25 a yearPompano BeachLicence and insurance on file online contractor registration before any permit

Storm prep & documentation

Dania BeachTie it down loose lumber, trash and materials on a hurricane advisoryDeerfield BeachRight of entry first before the city clears private-property debrisFort LauderdaleBoat owner's job no citywide boat-removal orderHallandale BeachBefore you leave seasonal residents must secure loose objectsHillsboro BeachPre-storm inspection required for active exterior job sitesLauderdale-by-the-Sea10 working days max time roofing materials sit on a roof in seasonWilton Manors12 hours before hurricane-force winds to comply with an order

Seawall repair cost

Fort LauderdaleScope first, then price no credible number before a survey

Twelve signs a seawall is failing

What to look for, where to look for it, and what it means when you find it. Walk your wall in twenty minutes.

A screening sheet for owners, not an engineering inspection.

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