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Gulf Stream · Palm Beach County

How high does a seawall have to be in Gulf Stream?

No minimumset in local code

Gulf Stream sets no minimum seawall height. It caps new or replacement seawalls on Intracoastal-connected water at 8 ft NGVD (or the NAVD equivalent).

Source: Town of Gulf Stream Code, Ch. 70 Art. IV Sec. 70-78 Seawall height; Ch. 52 Art. II Seawalls, Bulkheads, Etc. (Ord. 22-9, 10-28-22); Sec. 52-28; Ch. 66 Sec. 66-369 · Verified 2026-10

The detail

MinimumNone set
MaximumNo greater than 8 ft NGVD or its equivalent in NAVD - Sec. 70-78
Seawall requiredOwners on tidal/brackish water must bulkhead their frontage (not ocean) - Sec. 52-26
PlansTown commission approval - Sec. 52-27
HistoryThe cap was first set by Ord. No. 15/9 (12 Feb 2015) and amended by Ord. No. 22-9 (28 Oct 2022) - Sec. 70-78
Turbidity screensDuring clearing, excavating, jetting and backfilling the contractor must fully enclose the site with screens reaching the bottom, left in place 24 hours after work stops or until turbidity returns to normal - Sec. 52-28
Docks and liftsBoats dock parallel to the seawall only. Docks may be no higher than the abutting seawall or 5.5 ft above mean sea level, whichever is greater; lift equipment max 5 ft above the seawall, and no part of a lifted vessel more than 10 ft above it - Sec. 66-369(4), (6)

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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The county rule behind this

What applies across Palm Beach County, and where each city departs from it.

Palm Beach CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

The rule changes at the city line, not the county line.

Palm BeachBoca RatonPalm BeachDelray BeachPalm BeachJupiterPalm BeachWest Palm Beach

Other questions about Gulf Stream

Seawall permit processDo I need a permit to repair a seawall in Gulf Stream?Flood zone & elevationWhat flood zone is Gulf Stream in, and what does it require?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Gulf Stream?Boat lift rulesWhat are the boat lift rules in Gulf Stream?Waterfront deck requirementsWhat are the deck setback and railing rules in Gulf Stream?Checking a marine contractorHow do I check a marine contractor in Gulf Stream?Storm prep & documentationWhat are the storm and debris rules in Gulf Stream?

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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