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Dania Beach · Broward County

What are the boat lift rules in Dania Beach?

Allowed; submersible lift 25% / 15 ftguide pole required

Dania Beach caps how far a submersible boat-lifting device may extend: 25% of the waterway width and never more than 15 feet, unless the planning and zoning board grants a variance and a guide pole is fitted. Lifts need a building department permit, and no permanent or temporary boat covering is allowed in the setback or over a public waterway.

Source: City of Dania Beach Land Development Code Art. 240, Sec. 240-20 (Supp. 163; Ord. 2010-20, 2012-025); Broward County Code Sec. 27-336 (Supp. 72); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

ReachNo extension of a boat-lifting device capable of being submerged may extend more than 25% of the waterway width, not to exceed 15 feet, unless a variance is granted by the planning and zoning board and a guide pole is attached - LDC Sec. 240-20(K)
Guide poleAt least 1.5 inches in diameter, permanently attached, vertical, at least 6 feet above the water at all times, with a reflective colour - Sec. 240-20(K)
PermitA building department permit is required before erecting docks, boat davits, hoists or similar mooring structures; on navigable waters every regulating authority must approve, and the applicant must own the land or have written consent - Sec. 240-20(I)
CoversNo boathouse, permanent covering or temporary covering for a boat within the zoning setback area, or within or over any public waterway - Sec. 240-20(H)
Principal building firstBoat slips and docks only where a principal building exists - Sec. 240-20(A)
Projection contextDocks may extend 5 feet beyond the property line, or where the waterway is wider than 50 feet, 10% of the width up to 20 feet - Sec. 240-20(B)
Dock heightA dock deck may not exceed 3 feet above mean high tide unless the adjacent ground is higher, in which case it may match the average ground level at the seawall - LDC Sec. 240-20(D)
On the dockNo cooking, sleeping or business activity on a dock - Sec. 240-20(L)
Unsafe structuresThe community development department inspects mooring structures; owners get 30 days' written notice to correct unsafe ones - Sec. 240-20(J)
Broward CountyBoatlifts and davits are listed among the projects that qualify for a county general environmental resource license, which the code says is issued within ten days of a complete application - Broward County Code Sec. 27-336(a)(1)f.
State and federalFloating boat lifts and floating vessel platforms that meet s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (they float at all times, hold the vessel out of the water, and either sit inside a previously permitted slip or total no more than 500 sq ft - 200 sq ft in Outstanding Florida Waters - beside a qualifying dock or bulkhead) need no state permit; a local government may then ask only for a one-time registration unless the platform is attached to a bulkhead with no dock. Structures in navigable waters otherwise need Army Corps authorization unless exempt or under a general permit - 33 CFR 322.3(a).

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Broward CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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