WallDockDeck
Miami · Miami-Dade County

How high does a seawall have to be in the City of Miami?

6.0ft NAVD88 (Miami River: 4 ft, built to rise 2 ft)

Miami-Dade County sets no countywide seawall elevation, so the City of Miami sets its own. On tidally influenced and waterfront properties citywide, seawalls, bulkheads, living shorelines and other shoreline protection must be built to at least 6 ft NAVD88. The Miami River and its tributaries are the exception: 4 ft NAVD88, designed so the wall can be raised at least 2 ft more through 2070. City Code Sec. 29-89(a)(4).

Source: City of Miami Code Ch. 29, Art. III, Sec. 29-89(a)(2), (4)-(6) (Ord. No. 13980, 3-25-21; Municode Supp. 24 Upd. 1); Miami-Dade County Code Ch. 24 (RER-DERM permitting) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

CitywideMinimum 6 ft NAVD88 for seawalls, bulkheads, living shorelines and other shoreline protection on all tidally influenced and waterfront properties, except those fronting the Miami River and its tributaries. Sec. 29-89(a)(4).
The Miami RiverMinimum 4 ft NAVD88 for new walls fronting the river or its tributaries, designed and built so they can be raised incrementally by at least 2 ft through 2070. Sec. 29-89(a)(4).
The raise planA permit application must be accompanied by a plan for incremental improvements through 2070, with modification details and load calculations showing the wall can be raised at least 2 ft. Sec. 29-89(a)(4).
When it appliesNew construction, or when substantial improvements to a property are performed. Sec. 29-89(a)(4).
The 50% triggerA repair covering 50% or more of the wall's length, costing 50% or more of a new wall, or changing the elevation along 50% or more of its length must meet the standard for the length of the property. Sec. 29-89(a)(5).
Built to hold waterWalls must be substantially impermeable, stopping water flowing through or over them while still relieving hydrostatic pressure from the land side. Sec. 29-89(a)(2).
The variance routeAn owner can ask the city manager's designee for a variance, for example an alternative construction method where an existing building stops the wall being raised, or to keep safe boat dockage at a single-family home, provided tidal water is still kept off neighbours and the right-of-way. A denial can be appealed within 30 days to a four-director review committee. Sec. 29-89(a)(6).
The county layer still appliesMiami-Dade RER-DERM permitting under Chapter 24 runs on top of the city permit, whatever the elevation.

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.

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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-DadeSurfside

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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.

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