Marine Permitting in the Lower Keys, FL

Getting a dock permit in the Lower Keys FL requires coordination with multiple federal, state, and local agencies — and Glen Boe Associates has been managing that permit process throughout Big Pine Key, Summerland, Cudjoe, Sugarloaf, and surrounding communities for over 40 years.

We serve waterfront property owners throughout Big Pine Key, Little Torch Key, Big Coppitt Key, Sugarloaf Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Ramrod Key, Shark Key, Key Haven, and surrounding communities.

We design and permit every type of waterfront structure for Lower Keys residential and commercial properties:

• Dock Design & Permitting — Fixed dock design by our licensed PE, with full ACOE, FDEP, and FKNMS permit management.
• Seawall Design & Permitting — Seawall repair, replacement, and new construction for Lower Keys waterfront properties.
• Maintenance Dredging — Dredging plans, environmental assessments, benthic surveys, and full ACOE and FDEP permit applications.
• Boat Lifts & Davits — Design and permitting for boat lifts, davits, and boat ramps throughout the Lower Keys.
• Wetland Fill Permitting — Environmental Resource Permit management for fill projects in Monroe County’s Lower Keys.
• Benthic Surveys — Conducted in-house by our FKNMS-authorized biologist for Lower Keys nearshore construction projects.
• Swim & Observation Platforms — Design and permitting for residential waterfront properties throughout the Lower Keys.

The Lower Keys are part of unincorporated Monroe County. Waterfront projects throughout this area require permits from multiple agencies:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) — Authorization under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and/or Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for dock, dredging, and fill projects in Lower Keys waters.
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) — An Environmental Resource Permit is required for construction in, on, or over Florida’s surface waters and wetlands throughout the Lower Keys.
• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) — The Lower Keys waters are within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Projects with potential impacts to coral or seagrass resources require FKNMS coordination. Our FKNMS-approved biologist conducts any required benthic surveys in-house.
• Monroe County Building Department — As part of unincorporated Monroe County, Lower Keys waterfront construction requires a Monroe County building permit. Glen Boe Associates designs all projects to meet Monroe County code requirements and provides your contractor with all agency approvals.

Our team regularly works with property owners throughout the Lower Keys, including Big Pine Key, Little Torch Key, Big Coppitt Key, Sugarloaf Key, Summerland Key, Cudjoe Key, Ramrod Key, Shark Key, and Key Haven. Each island has its own waterway characteristics — from the shallow backcountry flats of Big Pine Key and the National Key Deer Refuge area to the canal communities of Summerland and Cudjoe Key.

The Lower Keys have unique environmental conditions that require careful navigation during the permitting process. Our team’s 40+ years of experience throughout Monroe County — combined with our in-house FKNMS-approved biologist — means we understand what each agency requires for projects in this area and how to prepare complete, accurate applications from day one.

Our licensed PE prepares all design drawings in-house. Our biologist conducts all environmental surveys in-house. We follow every project through to final approval with no subcontractors and no outside consultants.