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Lauderdale-by-the-Sea · Broward County

What are the boat lift rules in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea?

Allowed; 25% on canals, 20% or 20 ft on the ICWfully raised; guide pole

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea measures boat lifts in the fully raised position. In waterways 100 feet wide or less a lift may reach 25% of the width; on the Intracoastal and other waterways over 100 feet, 20% or 20 feet, whichever is less. Every lift needs a reflective vertical guide pole at its outer end, must stay 5 feet off the extended side property line, and needs Broward County approval before the Town building permit.

Source: Town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Code Sec. 30-311 (Supp. 51; Ord. 2023-07); Broward County Code Sec. 27-336 (Supp. 72); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Permit orderRequired Broward County permits or approvals first, then a Town building permit, plus Army Corps or other agency approval where applicable - Code Sec. 30-311(b)(1)
Reach, 100 ft or lessIn the fully raised position, no more than 25% of the waterway width from the recorded property line - Sec. 30-311(c)(1)c.1
Reach, over 100 ftIn the fully raised position, 20% of the width or 20 feet, whichever is less - Sec. 30-311(d)(1)d.1
Guide poleA vertical guide pole with reflective marking permanently mounted at the outer end of the lift, at least 6 feet above the water at all times - Sec. 30-311(c)(1)c.2, (d)(1)d.2
Side setbackNo boat lift within 5 feet of an extended side property line; on the Intracoastal, commercial lots next to residential use keep 10 feet - Sec. 30-311(c)(2)a, (d)(1)a
BoathousesBoathouses are prohibited - Sec. 30-311(c)(7)
Compared with docksDocks may reach only 10% or 8 feet on narrow waterways and 15 feet on the Intracoastal, so the lift limit is separate - Sec. 30-311(c)(1)a, (d)(1)b
Dolphin pilesOn waterways 100 feet or less, up to 25% of the width, a six-inch reflective band two feet below the top, and at least ten feet apart - Sec. 30-311(c)(1)d
Shared docking areasWhere two or more lots share a common docking area, the owners must sign and record an agreement with the Town approving the placement before any permit - Sec. 30-311(c)(4)
Boat sizeThe development services department may regulate the size or number of watercraft moored at a property to protect public safety - Sec. 30-311(e)(2)
Court rulingsWhere a court has adjudicated neighbours' docking rights, the ruling controls if proof is filed with the permit application - Sec. 30-311(c)(5)
Marina mooring areaA marina in the B-1 district may ask for a designated marina mooring area through conditional use review - Sec. 30-311(f)
Broward CountyBoatlifts and davits are listed among the projects that qualify for a county general environmental resource license, which the code says is issued within ten days of a complete application - Broward County Code Sec. 27-336(a)(1)f.
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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