Florida Keys Dock Permit FAQ

Yes. Most docks and seawalls in Monroe County require approvals from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and your local municipality. Learn more about our Monroe County dock permit process.

Since 1984, our family-owned firm has focused on Monroe County dock and seawall permitting. Our goal is to ensure that your project meets environmental compliance in the Florida Keys. We handle the entire process, from construction drawings to FDEP and ACOE applications to agency responses.

Most standard residential docks in the Florida Keys take roughly 6 to 9 months to permit. Simple canal docks with no seagrass or coral can move faster, while docks over seagrass or near coral commonly take 9 to 12 months, and projects that need an Individual Permit can exceed 12 months. Seawall repairs and replacements typically take 4 to 7 months, and adding a boat lift to a legally built dock or seawall is often 30 to 60 days. The biggest factor you control is a complete application. With Glen Boe & Associates, Inc. managing submittals and follow-ups, most permits move faster and with fewer rejections. For agency-by-agency detail, see our post on how long a dock permit takes in the Florida Keys.

The total depends on the project, but it typically includes engineering drawings, agency filing fees, a benthic survey where one is required, professional permit management, and in some cases mitigation credits. Mitigation is often the largest and most variable cost for projects over seagrass or wetlands. For a full breakdown, see our post on how much a Florida Keys dock permit costs.

A benthic survey assesses seafloor resources such as seagrasses, corals, and sponges. In the Florida Keys, FDEP, ACOE, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary often require a benthic survey. They sometimes require this before they issue permits for docks, seawalls, or other marine work. More information is in our Benthic Surveys for Florida Keys Dock Project article.

Typically, a benthic survey is valid for about one year. Agencies may request updated surveys if there are delays. Glen Boe & Associates, Inc. ensures surveys meet current standards to keep your project on track.

Yes. The sanctuary does not prohibit private docks, but it adds a consistency review, usually coordinated through the Army Corps permit, and often a benthic survey. Projects that avoid seagrass and coral move through more smoothly. See our post on whether you can build a dock in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

A cradle boat lift is used to raise and lower a vessel in and out of the water. A cradle boat lift is typically supported by four to eight wood or concrete piles. Cradle boat lifts are more commonly used on offshore docks than in canals.

Yes. New seawall construction and full seawall replacement in Monroe County require approvals from multiple agencies before work begins, and replacement is treated as new construction for permitting purposes. Some projects may qualify for an FDEP exemption or an Army Corps Nationwide Permit. See our guide to seawall construction and replacement permits in the Florida Keys.

Absolutely. In addition to dock permits, we manage seawall permitting throughout the Florida Keys, including repairs, replacements, and new construction. Our team ensures compliance with both environmental and building requirements.