WallDockDeck
Miami · Miami-Dade County

What are the boat lift rules in Miami?

Allowed as part of a dock; davits over 3 tons banneddock limits apply to the lift

Under Miami 21 a boat lift is part of the dock, so it takes the dock's limits: on Biscayne Bay up to 65 feet from mean high water by right, and on other waterways 10 feet or 10% of the width, whichever is less. Docks must stay 10 feet from abutting property and boats 5 feet. Davits with more than a 3-ton capacity are prohibited.

Source: City of Miami - Miami 21 Zoning Code Art. 1 Sec. 1.2 and Art. 6 Table 13 (Gridics rev. 17 Sep 2026); 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

Lift counts as dockA boat lift is a device that raises and lowers a boat and is a component of a dock or pier; docks include associated boat lifts and mooring piles - Miami 21 Art. 1, Sec. 1.2 (definitions)
Biscayne BayDocks or piers up to 65 feet from the mean high water line by right; in T3 and T4 zones 65 to 95 feet by warrant when justified on environmental grounds verified by Miami-Dade County; beyond that by exception - Miami 21 Art. 6, Table 13
Other waterwaysUp to 10 feet or 10% of the waterway width, whichever is less, by right; further only by exception - Art. 6, Table 13
SetbacksDock or pier at least 10 feet from any abutting property; vessels at least 5 feet - Art. 6, Table 13
ProhibitedDavits in excess of 3-ton capacity, commercial vessels, commercial boat ramps, and commercial hauling and fueling - Art. 6, Table 13
Agency approvalDocks and piers are subject to approval by applicable agencies - Art. 6, Table 13
Not in the codeNo lift height, raised-boat height or canopy rule appears in the Miami 21 text reviewed
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).

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Miami-Dade CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

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