WallDockDeck
Lake Worth Beach · Palm Beach County

Do I need a permit to repair a seawall in Lake Worth Beach?

Yesbuilding permit

Yes. Lake Worth Beach's development regulations bar anyone from constructing, altering or repairing a structure without a building permit from the building official. Since 1959 no fill may be placed on the channel side of the city's Lake Worth bulkhead line, and dredging or filling landward of it needs written approval.

Source: City of Lake Worth Beach Code Ch. 23 Secs. 23.2-5, 23.2-21; Ch. 22 Sec. 22-1 (Supp. 156); s. 403.813(1)(e), 161.053, 553.79 F.S. (2026); r. 62-330.051, 18-21.005 F.A.C.; 33 CFR 322.3(a); PBC ERM Permitting and Regulation page · Verified 2026-10

The detail

CityNo one may 'construct, enlarge, alter, repair' a building or structure without applying to the building official and obtaining a permit - LDR Sec. 23.2-21
IssuerThe building division accepts applications and issues building permits; the building official implements the Florida Building Code - Sec. 23.2-5
Bulkhead lineSince 13 Aug 1959 no fill on the channel side of the bulkhead line; filling or dredging on the landward side needs formal written approval; new land or islands need a City Commission application with a plan showing the dredge source, judged on erosion, shoaling, stagnant water and harm to neighbors - Sec. 22-1(b), (c)
State (FDEP)Restoring a seawall in place or up to 18 in. waterward can be exempt from an Environmental Resource Permit where it was damaged within the last year by a discrete event or needs only minimal backfilling, and any chapter 161 permits are obtained (s. 403.813(1)(e) F.S.; r. 62-330.051(12)(b) F.A.C.); batter piles, king piles or a cap used only to stabilize and repair a wall are also exempt (r. 62-330.051(12)(d))
State-owned bottomExempt work on sovereign submerged land still needs separate authorization under chs. 253 and 258 F.S., which the Board of Trustees grants by rule for many exempt activities (r. 62-330.051 intro; r. 18-21.005(1)(b) F.A.C.)
CountyPalm Beach County ERM's Permitting and Regulation page lists no seawall or shoreline permit program among its topics (PBC ERM Permitting and Regulation page)
Ocean sideSeaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line a wall needs a separate state coastal construction permit; the chapter 161 repair exemption expressly excludes seawalls (s. 161.053(2)(a), (11)(a) F.S.)
Small-job exemptionThe state's under-$7,500 single-family permit exemption does not cover structural work or property in a flood hazard area (s. 553.79(1)(g)2. F.S.)
FederalA U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Department of the Army) authorization is required for structures or work in or affecting navigable waters, unless exempt or covered by a nationwide or regional general permit - 33 CFR 322.3(a) (Rivers and Harbors Act s. 10)

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 Palm Beach County, and where each city departs from it.

Palm Beach CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

Palm BeachBoca RatonPalm BeachDelray BeachPalm BeachJupiterPalm BeachWest Palm Beach

Other questions about Lake Worth Beach

Seawall height requirementHow high does a seawall have to be in Lake Worth Beach?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Lake Worth Beach?Boat lift rulesWhat are the boat lift rules in Lake Worth Beach?Waterfront deck requirementsWhat are the deck setback and railing rules in Lake Worth Beach?Storm prep & documentationWhat are the storm and debris rules in Lake Worth Beach?

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.