62-330.427. General Permit for Docks, Piers and Associated Structures

(1) A general permit is granted to any person to construct, extend, or remove a dock or pier and associated structures as described below:

(a) A private, single-family pier or dock with up to two boat lifts that, together with all existing structures on the shoreline of the property, does not exceed a total area of 2,000 square feet over surface waters. Such a structure:

1. Shall not accommodate the mooring of more than two vessels, either in the water or on a boat lift. Solely for purposes of this general permit, up to two personal watercraft as defined in section 327.02(33), F.S., may be moored in lieu of either or both allowable vessels of another type. These limits shall not apply to the mooring, storage or other use of the dock or pier by:

a. Non-motor-powered vessels less than 16 feet in length that are stored on or under the dock or pier, or within an authorized mooring area; or

b. Personal watercraft, dinghies or similar small vessels that are stowed out of the water, upon a larger parent vessel that is moored at the dock in compliance with this general permit.

2. Shall be located such that all areas used for vessel mooring and navigational access already provide a minimum depth of two feet below the mean low water level for tidal waters, or two feet below the expected average low water depth for non-tidal waters as determined based on best available information for the water body at the project location; and

3. May include a roof over the vessel mooring areas, boat lifts, and terminal platform, or any portions thereof, subject to the applicable provisions of chapters 253 and 258, F.S., and the rules adopted thereunder. Portions of such roofs that overhang beyond the edge of decked portions of the pier or dock shall be included in the calculation of the total square footage of over-water structure allowed under paragraph (1)(a), above.

(b) A public fishing pier that does not exceed a total area of 2,000 square feet provided the structure is designed and built to discourage boat mooring by elevating the fishing pier to a minimum height of five feet above mean high water or ordinary high water, surrounding the pier with handrails, and installing and maintaining signs that state “No Boat Mooring Allowed.”

(2) This general permit shall be subject to the following specific conditions:

(a) Construction or extension of the boat lift, boat mooring locations, or terminal platform, shall not occur over submerged grassbeds, coral communities or wetlands. However, the access walkway portion of the pier may traverse these resources provided it is elevated a minimum of five feet above mean high water or ordinary high water, contains handrails that are maintained in such a manner as to prevent use of the access walkways for boat mooring or access, and does not exceed a width of six feet, or a width of four feet in Aquatic Preserves;

(b) There shall be no structures enclosed by walls, screens, or doors on any side;

(c) The dock or pier will not facilitate vessel rentals, charters, or serve any other commercial purpose;

(d) There shall be no fish cleaning facilities, boat repair facilities or equipment, or fueling facilities on the structures authorized by this general permit. In addition, no overboard discharges of trash, human or animal waste, or fuel shall occur from any structures authorized by this general permit;

(e) This general permit shall not authorize the construction or extension of more than one dock or pier per parcel of land or individual lot. For the purposes of this general permit, multi-family living complexes shall be treated as one parcel of property regardless of the legal division of ownership or control of the associated property; and

(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this general permit, the design, construction and operation of the dock or pier and associated vessels shall not conflict with any manatee protection plan approved and adopted under section 379.2431(2)(t), F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 373.026(7), 373.043, 373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.4131, 373.414(9), 373.418, 403.805(1) FS. Law Implemented 373.118(1), 373.406(5), 373.413, 373.4131, 373.414(9), 373.416, 373.418, 373.426, 403.814(1) FS. History–New 10-3-95, Formerly 62-341.427, Amended 10-1-13, 6-1-18.