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Deerfield Beach · Broward County

What are the boat lift rules in Deerfield Beach?

Allowed; 1 lift under 100 ft frontage, 2 above10 ft / 25 ft from bisecting lines

Deerfield Beach ties the number of lifts to water frontage: one boat lift on a lot with less than 100 feet, set back 10 feet from the bisecting lines, and up to two on 100 feet or more, set back 25 feet. A lift platform holding up to three jet skis counts as one lift. Dock, lift and boat together may not take more than 25% of the water body, and any dock with a lift must have cleats or rings to tie the boat down in high wind.

Source: City of Deerfield Beach Land Development Code Sec. 98-87 (Supp. 87); 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

How many and setbackFrontage under 100 feet - one boat lift, 10 feet from the bisecting lines; 100 feet or more - up to two boat lifts, 25 feet from the bisecting lines - LDC Sec. 98-87(d)(3)e.1-2
Jet skisPersonal watercraft elevators and platforms holding up to three personal watercraft count as one boat lift - Sec. 98-87(d)(3)e.3
ReachDocks, boat lifts and mooring structures may extend 25% of the canal width; on the Intracoastal, 25% of the width or 30 feet, whichever is more restrictive; nontidal lakes 101-199 feet wide, 25% or 25 feet; over 200 feet, 25% or 50 feet - Table A
Total footprintThe dock, mooring structure and vessel together may never exceed 25% of the water body width - Sec. 98-87(d)(2)b
Tie-downsDocks with boat lifts, davits or similar lifting mechanisms must provide cleats, rings or similar points to tie the vessel down out of the water in high wind - Sec. 98-87(d)(1)m
Principal structure firstNo dock or mooring structure on a property without a principal structure with a certificate of occupancy - Sec. 98-87(d)(1)c
DefinitionA boat lift/davit is a manual, electronic or fuel-operated device fixed to the ground, seawall, finger pier or dock to lift watercraft clear of the water - Sec. 98-87(c)
ApprovalsPlans need approval from every agency with jurisdiction before construction, and the applicant must own the waterfront land or have the owner's consent - Sec. 98-87(d)(1)a-b
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

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