How Long Does a Dock Permit Take in the Florida Keys?

If you own waterfront property in the Florida Keys, one of your first questions is probably this: how long will the permitting process take?

The honest answer is that it depends. Project type, property location, agency workload, and application completeness all affect the timeline. After more than 40 years of managing dock permits in Monroe County, Glen Boe & Associates can give you a realistic picture of what to expect.

Most dock projects in the Florida Keys require permits from three separate agencies. Each agency has its own review timeline.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE). The ACOE reviews dock projects under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Some projects qualify for a Nationwide Permit. For those projects, the ACOE can confirm authorization in as little as 30 to 60 days. More complex projects require an individual permit, which can take six months to over a year.

Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The FDEP issues Environmental Resource Permits for dock construction in Florida’s coastal waters. For standard residential docks, FDEP review typically takes 60 to 90 days after receiving a complete application. However, incomplete applications trigger a request for additional information. This pauses the review clock and adds time to the process.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS). Projects that may impact coral habitats require FKNMS review in addition to ACOE and FDEP permits. FKNMS review typically adds 30 to 60 days. In some cases, agencies will request a benthic resource assessment. This survey must be conducted by an FKNMS-authorized biologist and submitted upon the agency’s request.

Local Building Permit. After ACOE and FDEP permits are issued, your contractor applies for a local building permit. Depending on the jurisdiction, local review takes 30 to 60 days.

Here is what to expect for common project types:

• Standard residential fixed dock, no significant benthic impacts: 6 to 9 months.
• Dock with boat lift or davit: 6 to 9 months — similar to a standard dock.
• Seawall repair or replacement: 4 to 7 months for most projects.
• Maintenance dredging: 6 to 12 months, depending on scope and location.
• Boat lift on a legally built dock or seawall: 30 to 60 days.

The most controllable factor is how complete your application is at the time of submission. Both ACOE and FDEP have deadlines to notify applicants when something is missing. An incomplete application does two things — it resets portions of the review clock and signals to reviewers that the applicant may not be fully prepared.

Glen Boe & Associates prepares all engineering drawings, benthic survey documentation, and permit application forms in-house. As a result, every application we submit includes the necessary information from day one. In over 40 years of working with ACOE and FDEP in the Florida Keys, we know exactly what these agencies need.

There is no way to pay for faster review at the federal or state level. However, working with an experienced agent makes a real difference. An agent who knows the reviewers, responds quickly to information requests, and tracks your application through each step will consistently outperform an applicant going through the process alone.