WallDockDeck
Key Colony Beach · Monroe County

What are the deck setback and railing rules in Key Colony Beach?

10 ftpool setback from mean high water on canals; 60% of the shoreline setback may be built on

Key Colony Beach lets accessory structures occupy up to 60% of the principal shoreline setback along manmade canals, including the first 10 ft from mean high water. Pools sit 10 ft from the rear line and mean high water on canals, and on Vaca Cut nothing new goes within 20 ft of mean high water.

Source: City of Key Colony Beach Land Development Regulations Secs. 101-26, 101-10 (LDR Supp. 14); Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Ed. (2023) R312.1.1-R312.1.3 (ICC Digital Codes) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Shoreline setbackExcept pile-supported structures, utility pilings, fences, ramps, docks and walkways up to 4 ft wide, no new development within 20 ft of mean high water on Vaca Cut or 100 ft on the ocean; accessory structures may occupy 30% of the principal shoreline setback on Vaca Cut (beyond the first 20 ft) and 60% along manmade canals including the first 10 ft from MHW, except pools and spas. LDR Sec. 101-26(10).
Pools5 ft from side lines and 10 ft from rear lines and MHW on canals; 25 ft front; 100 ft from the ocean, 20 ft from MHW on Vaca Cut; above-grade pools not permitted; screen enclosures only outside the required setback. Sec. 101-26(11).
Dockside sheltersMax 3 ft setback from the water on canals, 80 sq ft, 8 ft tall. Sec. 101-26.
R-1ARear yard 25 ft (50 ft from mean high tide on Vaca Cut); minimum pervious area 25%. Sec. 101-10.
Small itemsDock boxes no larger than 3 ft by 3 ft by 6 ft, flag poles up to 30 ft in any setback, portable plug-in spas up to 8 by 8 by 3 ft allowed; pools may not drain into the city sewer. Sec. 101-26.
Where it livesLand Development Regulations Sec. 101-26 'Accessory structures and uses' and Sec. 101-10 'R-1A One dwelling unit residence district'.
Yard adornmentsMax 48 inches high and 9 sq ft at the base, no more than two per front or rear yard, none in a side setback. Sec. 101-26(13).
Outdoor lightingSpot or flood lights may not glare toward residences across streets or canals and must be aimed downward or shielded. Sec. 101-26(8).
Guards (state rule)Florida Building Code, Residential, 8th Edition (2023), Sec. R312.1.1-R312.1.3: a guard is required on open sides of a walking surface located more than 30 inches above the floor or grade below at any point within 24 inches of the open edge; it must be at least 36 inches high; openings must not let a 4-inch sphere pass. No local guard amendment was found in this city's code.

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