WallDockDeck
Key Biscayne · Miami-Dade County

What are the boat lift rules in Key Biscayne?

Allowed; boat no higher than 6 in above MHWbottom of raised boat

Key Biscayne caps how high a lifted boat can sit: the bottom of a watercraft on a boatlift may be no more than six inches above the mean high water mark. The lift or lift arm must stay out of the zoning setback extended into the water, and on bayfront lots the dock or lift has to fit inside a 60-degree triangle drawn from the shoreline.

Source: Village of Key Biscayne Code of Ordinances Sec. 30-100(f)(4) (Supp. 51 Update 1); Miami-Dade Code Secs. 24-48, 24-48.2 (Supp. 136); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Raised boatThe bottom of a watercraft on a boatlift may be no more than six inches above the mean high water mark - Code Sec. 30-100(f)(4)a
SetbackA boat lift or boat arm may not encroach into the minimum required setback extended into the water; no part of a watercraft (bow pulpit, engines, dive platform) may encroach either - Sec. 30-100(f)(4)a
PermitNo docking facility may be built without prior written approval of the Building, Zoning and Planning Department, which may deny one that harms navigation, including in Biscayne Bay - Sec. 30-100(f)(4)a
Bayfront triangleOn bayfront lots a 60-degree triangle with a baseline of at least 100 feet is required and the dock or boat lift must sit inside it; mooring piles, lift arms and watercraft may fall outside. Bayfront docks may project 40 feet (100 feet at 1-11 odd Harbor Point with neighbour consent) and boats are capped at 50 feet - Sec. 30-100(f)(4)b
Projection contextCanal docks 10 feet or 10% of the waterway, Hurricane Harbor and Smuggler's Cove 20 feet or 20% - Sec. 30-100(f)(4)b
How manyNo more than two boat slips per property, plus one guest boat for up to 24 hours - Sec. 30-100(f)(4)a
Miami-Dade CountyAny work in, on or over tidal waters needs a county permit from the Department (DERM). A single-family boat lift, davit or floating dock that protrudes no more than 25% of the waterway width may use the short-form application, as may installing a boat lift or davit on a dock, seawall or bulkhead - Miami-Dade Code Secs. 24-48(1)(d), 24-48.2(I)(A)(2), (8), (20).
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).

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.

Done — it is on the way to your inbox. Not there in a minute? Check your Promotions or Spam folder, and move it to your inbox so the next ones arrive.

The county rule behind this

What applies across Miami-Dade County, and where each city departs from it.

Miami-Dade CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

Miami-DadeMiami BeachMiami-DadeCoral GablesMiami-DadeMiamiMiami-DadeSurfside

Other questions about Key Biscayne

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

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.

Done — it is on the way to your inbox. Not there in a minute? Check your Promotions or Spam folder, and move it to your inbox so the next ones arrive.