WallDockDeck
Hillsboro Beach · Broward County

What are the boat lift rules in Hillsboro Beach?

Davits allowed on the Intracoastal onlymay exceed dock height

Hillsboro Beach allows docks, piers and boat davits along the Intracoastal Waterway but none on the Atlantic Ocean side. Docks and piers may not rise above the adjoining seawall, but the code expressly lets boat davits and mooring piles exceed that height. It has no separate boat lift rule.

Source: Town of Hillsboro Beach Code Sec. 12-263 (Supp. 16; Ord. 2023-01); 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

WhereDocks, boat davits and piers may be built along the Intracoastal Waterway; no docks or piers along the Atlantic Ocean - Code Sec. 12-263(D)
HeightNo part of a pier or dock higher than the top of the adjoining seawall, or its established grade if none; mooring piles and boat davits may exceed this height - Sec. 12-263(D)
OceanNo structure built out into the ocean unless approved under an overall town plan - Sec. 12-263(E)
Not in the codeNo boat lift wording, projection, setback, canopy rule or count for lifts (searched lift, davit, hoist)
Living aboardNo boat, houseboat or floating home may be kept or used as a residence in the town or its adjacent waters - Code Sec. 12-263(F)
Ocean structuresGroins, seawalls, jetties, breakwaters, docks, piers and bulkheads may not be built out into the ocean from any lot unless the Town approves them under an overall plan - Sec. 12-263(E)
HistorySec. 12-263 was last amended by Ord. 2019-09 (5 November 2019), Ord. 2022-11 (6 December 2022) and Ord. 2023-01 (7 March 2023), building on Ords. 171 and 175 (1993), 207 (2003), 215 (2004) and 261 (2012) - Sec. 12-263
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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The county rule behind this

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Broward CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

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