LengthCommensurate with the parcel's shoreline width, up to 100 ft waterward of the mean low water line, and no more than 10% of the water body's width measured mean low water to mean low water; a dock may be lengthened only enough to put an average vessel's centerline in the required depth - Land Development Regulations 104.64 (Docking Facilities, Maximum Length)
ChannelA dock or mooring structure with a moored vessel may not take more than 25% of the navigable portion of the water body - 104.64
DepthAt least minus 4 ft at mean low water at the terminal end, and continuous access to open water at least 4 ft deep over a 20 ft-wide channel (or a marked state- and federally-approved channel) - 104.64
SeagrassDocks may not terminate over seagrass or hardbottom except as permitted by FDEP and the Army Corps - 104.64
DesignDocks perpendicular to shore; any parallel structure no more than 8 ft wide; walkways cut through mangroves no wider than 4 ft; a pier or T/L terminal platform no wider than 8 ft and no more than 160 sq ft - 104.64
HeightsPilings up to 8.5 ft above the dock's walking surface (11.5 ft above mean high water if freestanding); benches and lockers 4 ft; boat lift structure 5 ft above the dock or seawall cap; pile-mounted davits 8.5 ft; lights no higher than 6 ft and no dusk-to-dawn lights - 104.64
RoofsNo building over wetlands or submerged waters; covered boat lifts without side walls may be allowed up to 20 ft above mean high water, but not over protected marine resources - 104.64
SetbacksMulti-family and commercial docks next to single-family waterfront property must be set back 20 ft from that property and riparian line unless neighbours sign no-objection statements; joint docks may sit on the shared line - 104.64
Length exceptionsThe City Manager may allow extra length only to reach the required depth, after mailed notice to shoreline owners within 300 ft at least 30 days ahead; not available on turtle-nesting beaches such as the oceanfront of Grassy Key - 104.64
PermitFederal, state and water management district permits first, then the building permit; single-family applications need signed and sealed survey drawings and copies of the DEP and Army Corps permits; all docks designed by a professional engineer - 104.64
Outstanding Florida WatersThe Florida Keys waters, out to three leagues around Key West and the Keys, are designated Outstanding Florida Waters, except the Key West sewage outfall, the Stock Island power plant mixing zone and artificial waterbodies such as dredged canals - F.A.C. 62-302.700(9)(i)13. A dock in an Outstanding Florida Water qualifies for the state permit exemption only up to 500 sq ft over water - Fla. Stat. 403.813(1)(b)1
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)