WallDockDeck
Islamorada · Monroe County

What are the boat lift rules in Islamorada?

Allowed; covered lifts only over cut-in slipsroof max 12 ft above grade

Islamorada allows lifts and davits as water-dependent structures in the shoreline setback, but an open-sided covered boat lift may only go over a cut-in boat slip on a manmade canal and may not reach past the mouth of the cut-in or over mangroves, seagrass or hard bottom. Its roof may be no more than 12 feet above grade. A dock together with a moored vessel, lift or piles may not block more than 25% of a manmade water body's navigable width.

Source: Islamorada, Village of Islands Code Secs. 30-1542, 30-1547 (municipalcodeonline.com, read 3 Oct 2026; Ord. 11-11); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

AllowedDocks, lifts and davits are water-dependent accessory structures permitted in the shoreline setback - Code Sec. 30-1542
CoversOpen-sided covered boat lifts only over a cut-in boat slip on manmade canals, not beyond the mouth of the cut-in, and not over mangroves, submerged seagrasses or hard-bottom communities; roof and supports may extend 2 feet into the shoreline setback around the slip; no decks or habitable space on the roof; highest point of the roof no more than 12 feet above grade - Sec. 30-1542
ReachNo dock together with a moored vessel, lift or mooring piles may obstruct more than 25% of the navigable portion of a manmade water body; docks no more than 10% of the water body width - Sec. 30-1547
Tie-downsDocks with boat lifts, davits or similar lifting mechanisms must provide cleats, rings or similar points to secure the boat out of the water in high wind - Sec. 30-1547
DepthAt least 4 feet at mean low water at the end of the dock, or minus 5 feet over seagrass - Sec. 30-1547
How manyOne dock per single-family or duplex use - Sec. 30-1547
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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