Land under navigable water that belongs to the State of Florida. Under s. 253.12(1), Florida Statutes, title to sovereignty tidal and submerged bottom lands is vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund. Section 253.77(1) says a person may not start construction or other activity involving the use of state lands until they have received the required lease, license, easement or other form of consent. That is why a dock reaching out over the water can need state consent in addition to a permit, and the permit exemptions in s. 403.813 do not remove that need. Whether the bottom in front of a particular lot is sovereign land is a question to raise with the reviewing agency early.
Source: s. 253.12, Florida Statutes · s. 253.77, Florida Statutes · s. 403.813, Florida Statutes · Checked 2026-10
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