Dock projectionDocks, slips, davits, hoists and similar mooring structures may not extend into the waterway more than 25% of its width or 25 ft, whichever is less, measured from the property line. A principal building must already exist on the lot - ULDR 47-19.3(c)
Mooring and dolphin pilesNo more than 30% of the waterway width or 25 ft beyond the property line, whichever is less - 47-19.3(d)
Commission waiverThe City Commission may waive (c) and (d) in extraordinary circumstances after a public hearing with notice to owners within 300 ft, but never beyond 30% of the waterway width; no Board of Adjustment variance can go past 30%. Piles beyond (d) need 5-inch marine reflector tape in international orange or iridescent silver within 18 inches of the top - 47-19.3(e)
Deck heightA dock installed after 23 March 2023 may not sit higher than the maximum tidal flood barrier elevation at that spot; up to 12 inches higher if attached to a new or rebuilt barrier, not poured monolithically with the cap and not blocking water flow over it - 47-19.3(f)
Boat positionNo watercraft docked beside residential property may extend beyond the side setback lines required for the principal building, extended into the waterway. Isle of Venice and Hendricks Isle owners are excepted under Resolution 85-270 - 47-19.3(h),(i)
Lifts and davitsOne mooring device per first 100 ft of lot width (a second on 100-200 ft lots needs Site Plan Level II review) plus one PWC lift; cross-section no more than 1 sq ft, height no more than 6.5 ft above lot grade; a hoisted boat's lowest point no more than 1 ft above the seawall cap - 47-19.3(b)
No boathousesNo boathouse or boat cover in the required setback or over a public waterway - 47-19.3(g)
Melrose Park and Riverland RoadIn these annexed areas docks may project only 5 ft beyond the property line or bulkhead line and must stay 10 ft from the neighbour's plot line, except in RS-6.85B and RD-12.22 where 47-19.3 applies - ULDR 47-39.A.1.b(12)(a),(i)
PermitA permit from the development services department, plus approval of every agency regulating navigable waters; the applicant must own the upland or have the owner's written consent - Code Sec. 8-91(b)
Moored boatsCode Sec. 8-91(e) separately limits moored boats to 30% of the canal or waterway width from the recorded property line
Broward County licenseWork in the county's regulated aquatic resources, which include canals and tidal waters, needs a Broward County Environmental Resource License - County Code 27-332, 27-333(a)(1). A new dock, floating dock or other over-water structure of 500 sq ft or less, measured from the seawall's wet face at mean high water, with no dredging or filling beyond the pilings, qualifies for a general license issued within 10 days of a complete application - 27-336(a)(1)e. A county ordinance that sets minimum environmental-protection standards prevails over city ordinances - Broward County Charter Sec. 11.01
State exemptionA private, non-commercial dock on pilings with 1,000 sq ft or less of over-water surface (500 sq ft in Outstanding Florida Waters), and the only exempt dock along 65 ft of shoreline (or one per lot if the lot is narrower), needs no state environmental permit - Fla. Stat. 403.813(1)(b). The exemption does not grant permission to use state-owned submerged lands and does not override city or county rules - 403.813(1)
FederalStructures in navigable waters need a Department of the Army permit, general or individual - 33 CFR 322.3(a)