WallDockDeck
Jupiter · Palm Beach County

How big a dock can I build in Jupiter?

50 ft or 20% of waterway widthwhichever is less, on natural waterways

On Jupiter's natural waterways, a dock, mooring space or pile may reach no more than 50 ft from the mean high water line or 20% of the waterway's width, whichever is less. On man-made lakes and canals inside residential areas the limit is 5 ft or 10% of the width, whichever is greater. Walkways are capped at 4 ft wide and terminal platforms at 200 sq ft (160 sq ft over seagrass).

Source: Town of Jupiter Code Ch. 27 (Zoning) Sec. 27-2626 (through Ord. 14-17, 9-19-2017); Fla. Stat. 403.813(1)(b) (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Natural waterwaysNo dock, mooring space or mooring piling more than 50 ft from the mean high water line or 20% of the natural waterway width, whichever is less; the planning and zoning director may waive this where other agencies with jurisdiction allow more and navigation, safety and environment are not harmed - Zoning Code 27-2626(b)(1)
Man-made watersOn lakes, retention ponds or canals entirely within a residential area, docks may project 5 ft or 10% of the width, whichever is greater; mooring spaces up to 25% - 27-2626(b)(2)
Walkway and platformAccess walkway no wider than 4 ft; on natural waterways the terminal platform or marginal dock may be no more than 200 sq ft (160 sq ft over known seagrass); in man-made canals marginal docks may exceed 200 sq ft - 27-2626(b)(4)-(5)
T and L headsNo longer than 20 ft and outside the side setback; U-shapes only for shared docks - 27-2626(b)(8)
Side setbackDocks, lifts, piles, davits and floating structures meet the district side setback measured from the extended side lines; boats may sit at the line but not overhang it, except in an inside canal corner - 27-2626(b)(6)
One dockOne dock per lot in R-1 and R-2 (except approved PUDs), no more than two mooring spaces, one boat lift plus one personal watercraft lift of up to 3,000 lb - 27-2626(b)(9)
CanalsDocks and lifts in canals must run parallel to the bulkhead; at least 50% of the waterway width must stay open (a 15 ft channel minimum under an approved alternative) - 27-2626(b)(11),(15)
SeagrassOver known seagrass, decking at least 5 ft above mean high water, boards no wider than 8 inches and at least half an inch apart - 27-2626(b)(12)
No coversCovered docks and boat lifts are not permitted - 27-2626(b)(14)
PermitA building permit with a signed and sealed survey no more than six months old showing riparian rights, plus a copy of the DEP, Army Corps or South Florida Water Management District permit; even re-decking needs a building permit - 27-2626(b)(1),(6)b,(17)
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)

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Palm Beach CountySeawall requirements county-wide

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