WallDockDeck
Ocean Ridge · Palm Beach County

What are the boat lift rules in Ocean Ridge?

Allowed with a building permitboom within dolphin limit (20 ft)

Ocean Ridge lets davits and boat lifts attach to the seawall, bulkhead cap, dolphin piling or dock. Their base must meet the 10-foot side setbacks and the boom or lift may not reach beyond the area allowed for dolphin pilings, which is 20 feet into the waterway. A building permit is required, and docks may carry no superstructure beyond a 4-foot railing.

Source: Town of Ocean Ridge Code Sec. 64-77 (Supp. 15; Ord. 540); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

Where attachedDavits and boat lifts may be attached to the seawall, bulkhead cap, dolphin piling and dock - Code Sec. 64-77(f)
ReachThe boom or lift may not extend beyond the area permitted for dolphin pilings - no more than 20 feet into the waterway - Sec. 64-77(f), (c)
Side setbackThe base must meet the setbacks - 10 feet from the adjacent lot line and from the lot line extended perpendicular to the seawall - Sec. 64-77(f), (b)-(c)
PermitDavits or boat lifts appurtenant to a seawall or bulkhead require a building permit - Sec. 64-77(g)
Floating platformsAllowed beside the seawall of a single-family lot between the seawall and dolphins; no town permit if no pilings are installed; multifamily needs a permit and special exception - Sec. 64-77(e)
On the dockNo superstructure on a dock except a railing up to 4 feet - Sec. 64-77(d)
Vacant lotsDocks are an accessory use to residential occupancy; none on an adjacent vacant lot without unity of title, and docks must conform to county environmental resources and state DEP requirements - Sec. 64-77(a)
MeasuringDock dimensions are measured to the walking surface, ignoring pilings as long as no more than a pile width extends past it - Sec. 64-77(b)
DolphinsDolphin pilings are self-standing piles unattached to the dock; they may not project more than 20 feet, must stay 10 feet from lot lines and lot lines extended, and may not interfere with navigation in town waters - Sec. 64-77(c)
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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