Dock Permit Monroe County FL | Florida Keys Marine Permitting

Getting a dock permit in Monroe County FL…

How the Dock Permit Process Works in Monroe County

Getting a dock permit in the Florida Keys involves multiple agencies and a specific sequence of steps. Here is exactly what the process looks like when you work with Glen Boe & Associates.

Step 1 — Free Site Consultation

We visit your property at no charge to assess the site conditions, water depth, proximity to seagrass or coral, and the scope of your proposed project. This visit determines which agencies will be involved and gives you a realistic picture of the permitting timeline and requirements before you commit to anything.

Step 2 — Benthic Survey

For many dock and seawall projects in Monroe County, a benthic survey of the project area is required by ACOE, FDEP, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Our in-house FKNMS-authorized biologist conducts the survey and documents the seafloor resources in and around your proposed structure. This data feeds directly into your permit application. Learn more about our benthic survey services.

Step 3 — Engineering Drawings

Our licensed Professional Engineer prepares construction drawings for your project — pile locations, dimensions, materials, water depths, and relationship to sensitive resources. All drawings are prepared and sealed in-house, which eliminates the delays and added cost of subcontracting engineering work.

Step 4 — Permit Application Submission

We prepare and submit a complete application package to all required agencies simultaneously. For most residential dock projects in Monroe County this includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), and your local municipality — whether that is the City of Marathon, Village of Islamorada, City of Key Colony Beach, or unincorporated Monroe County.

Step 5 — Agency Review and Follow-Up

After submission, each agency conducts its own review. Agencies often issue Requests for Additional Information (RAIs) during this period. We respond to every RAI promptly and track your application with each agency to keep the process moving. Our 40+ years of working with Monroe County agencies means we know the reviewers, understand what each agency expects, and can resolve issues before they cause significant delays.

Step 6 — Permit Issuance

Once all agency approvals are in hand, your permits are issued and you are cleared to begin construction. We coordinate with your contractor answering any questions to ensure the construction phase complies with all permit conditions, protecting you from stop-work orders or enforcement actions during the build.

What Can Go Wrong — and How We Prevent It

Dock permit applications in the Florida Keys fail or stall for predictable reasons. Here is what goes wrong most often, and how Glen Boe & Associates prevents each one.

Incomplete applications. Applications missing required documentation trigger RAIs that add weeks or months to the review timeline. We prepare complete packages the first time.

Seagrass conflicts. Proposed structures sited over or near seagrass beds face additional scrutiny and potential redesign requirements. When clients utilize our benthic survey services conflicts can be avoided before the application is submitted so the design avoids or minimizes impacts to resources.

Permit pathway mismatches. Projects that could qualify for a faster Nationwide Permit get submitted as Individual Permits — or vice versa. This mistake alone can add six months to a project timeline. We identify the correct pathway at the outset.

Unpermitted work. Property owners who begin construction before all permits are issued face stop-work orders, fines, and mandatory restoration. We do not allow this to happen on projects we manage.

Outdated surveys. Benthic surveys are typically valid for one year. Projects that stall may require an updated survey before agencies will continue review. We track your project timeline to avoid this problem.