WallDockDeck
Miami Shores · Miami-Dade County

What are the boat lift rules in Miami Shores?

Site plan review by the planning and zoning boarddocks, davits and boat lifts

Miami Shores sends every dock, davit and boat lift to the planning and zoning board for site plan review and approval, in residential and apartment districts alike, along with any accessory structure in the 15-foot shoreline setback. The village sets no lift dimensions of its own.

Source: Miami Shores Village Code App. A (Zoning Ordinance 270) Sec. 411 (Supp. 14 Addition); 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

ApprovalSite plan review and approval by the planning and zoning board is required for docks, davits and boat lifts in the R districts and in the A-1, A-2 and other apartment districts - Zoning Ordinance (Code App. A) Sec. 411, schedule of regulations
Shoreline setbackAny permitted accessory structure within the required 15-foot shoreline setback also needs board site plan review - Sec. 411
Not in the codeNo village projection, height, canopy rule or count for lifts was found
Apartment districtsIn the A districts, any structure within 5 feet of the rear or side plot line on shoreline properties also needs board site plan review - Sec. 411
HouseboatsUsing a houseboat as a dwelling of any type is a prohibited use - Code App. A Sec. 501(13)
Boats kept on landIn R and A districts a boat up to 26 feet may be kept on a plot, on a trailer, not in front of the building line, one per plot, and never as sleeping quarters - Code App. A Sec. 501(18)
Repairs and sourceOnly minor repairs that will not disturb the neighbours may be done to a boat kept on a residential plot - Sec. 501(18)a.4; the schedule of regulations is part of Miami Shores Village Zoning Ordinance No. 270 - Sec. 411
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-DadeKey BiscayneMiami-DadeMiami

Other questions about Miami Shores

Seawall height requirementHow high does a seawall have to be in Miami Shores?Seawall permit processDo I need a permit to repair a seawall in Miami Shores?Flood zone & elevationWhat flood zone is Miami Shores in, and what does it require?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Miami Shores?Waterfront deck requirementsWhat are the deck setback and railing rules in Miami Shores?Storm prep & documentationWhat are the storm and debris rules in Miami Shores?

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.