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Pompano Beach · Broward County

What are the boat lift rules in Pompano Beach?

Allowed; up to 28 ft out (raised)fully raised, from measurement reference line

Pompano Beach treats davits, hoists, vessel lifts and jet ski platforms as mooring structures, which need both a City Engineer engineering permit and a building permit. On waterways wider than 50 feet a lift may reach 28 feet in the fully raised position; on narrower canals it may go out as far as the navigational channel. No roofs or covers of any kind are allowed over a waterway, and nothing may be built on top of the seawall cap.

Source: City of Pompano Beach Code of Ordinances Ch. 151, Secs. 151.01-151.03, 151.08 (American Legal, latest; Ord. 2022-28); Broward County Code Sec. 27-336 (Supp. 72); s. 403.813(1)(s), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

DefinitionMooring structures include a vessel dock, slip, davit, hoist, vessel lift, floating vessel platform and personal watercraft/jet ski platform - Code Sec. 151.01(B)
PermitInstalling a mooring structure requires an engineering permit from the City Engineer and a building permit from the Building Official; plans must be by a Florida-licensed engineer, with as-built drawings before final acceptance. The engineering fee is 4% of construction cost (minimum $100), doubled if work starts before the permit - Sec. 151.02(A), (C), (D), (H)
Reach, waterways over 50 ftDavits, elevator lifts, cradle lifts, floating lifts, floating vessel platforms and jet ski platforms may extend up to 28 feet in the fully raised position, measured from the measurement reference line - Sec. 151.03(G)(4)
Reach, waterways 50 ft or lessDavits, hoists, vessel lifts and floating platforms may be built seaward to the navigational channel, which is defined as 55% of a waterway 40 feet or narrower and 45% of a wider one - Secs. 151.03(F), 151.01(B)
Side setbackNo mooring structure within 5 feet of an extended side property line, and no vessel may sit within 5 feet of it; closer is possible only with a recorded agreement and indemnity signed by the neighbours - Sec. 151.03(B), (H)
ChannelNothing may be placed in, or cause a vessel to extend into, the navigational channel - Sec. 151.03(C)
Elevator lift platformAn access platform may be added between the battered support beams of an elevator lift, no more than 3 feet beyond the dock and 10 feet wide; it must come out if the lift stops working or is removed - Sec. 151.03(G)(5)
CoversNo roofs or similar covering structures may be installed in, over or upon any canal or waterway, including covered structures over mooring structures - Sec. 151.03(G)(10)
Not on the seawall capNo mooring structure may be erected on top of or over a tidal flood barrier or seawall cap - Sec. 151.08
Broward CountyBoatlifts and davits are listed among the projects that qualify for a county general environmental resource license, which the code says is issued within ten days of a complete application - Broward County Code Sec. 27-336(a)(1)f.
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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Broward CountySeawall requirements county-wide

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