WallDockDeck
Wilton Manors · Broward County

Do I need a permit to repair a seawall in Wilton Manors?

Yes, plus county licensecity permit + county license

Yes. Wilton Manors requires a building permit from its Community Development Services Department for seawalls, plus a notarized statement that you own the waterfront land or have the owner's consent. A substantial repair must bring the wall to 5.0 ft NAVD88 along the whole property, with no lower interim height. Broward County also requires its own Environmental Resource License, often a general license for a repair in the same place.

Source: Wilton Manors Code Secs. 11-1, 11-7, 11-27, 11-28 (Supp. 68); Broward County Code Ch. 27 Art. XI Secs. 27-333, 27-336 (Supp. 72); s. 403.813(1)(e), F.S. (2026); 33 CFR 322.3(a) · Verified 2026-10

The detail

CityBefore construction, a building permit for docks, slips, seawalls, mooring piles or similar structures must be obtained from the community development services department; on navigable waters every regulating authority must approve, and the applicant must give the city a notarized statement of ownership of the abutting land or the owner's notarized consent - Code Sec. 11-7(b). Substantial repair = work along more than 50% of the wall and cap, an elevation change along more than 50% of it, or attached structures costing more than 50% of the wall's replacement cost - Sec. 11-1; such walls need at least 5.0 ft NAVD88 - Sec. 11-27(a); and the standard applies to the entire length of the property - Sec. 11-28. A cited owner must show progress within 60 days and finish within 365 days - Sec. 11-27(b) (Ord. 2020-002). New walls in marine waters where none existed need natural limerock rip-rap at the face - Sec. 11-27(f); a mooring structure found unsafe or unsatisfactory on inspection by community development services or code compliance gets 30 days' written notice to correct - Sec. 11-7(e)
Broward CountyConstruction in regulated aquatic resources needs a county Environmental Resource License (ERL) - Broward County Code Sec. 27-333(a)(1). Repairing an existing functional seawall no more than 1 ft waterward of its authorized location, or a new wall within 1 ft of the old wet face with the old wall left in place, qualifies for a general license (Sec. 27-336(a)(1)b.), as do refacing, crack filling, seepage holes and other minor repairs (n.) and raising the cap in the same footprint (o.); the code says a general license is issued within 10 days of a complete application - Sec. 27-336(a)(1)
StateRestoring a seawall at its previous location, upland of it, or within 18 inches waterward is exempt from a state environmental resource permit; the exemption does not replace permission to use state-owned submerged land or county and city requirements, and does not cover chapter 161 coastal permits - s. 403.813(1), (1)(e), F.S.
FederalA U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Department of the Army) authorization is required for structures or work in or affecting navigable waters, unless exempt or covered by a nationwide or regional general permit - 33 CFR 322.3(a) (Rivers and Harbors Act s. 10)

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 Broward County, and where each city departs from it.

Broward CountySeawall requirements county-wide

The same question, nearby

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

BrowardFort LauderdaleBrowardPompano BeachBrowardHollywoodBrowardLighthouse Point

Other questions about Wilton Manors

Flood zone & elevationWhat flood zone is Wilton Manors in, and what does it require?Dock permit & size limitsHow big a dock can I build in Wilton Manors?Boat lift rulesWhat are the boat lift rules in Wilton Manors?Waterfront deck requirementsWhat are the deck setback and railing rules in Wilton Manors?Storm prep & documentationWhat are the storm and debris rules in Wilton Manors?

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.