Your seawall is your property’s first line of defense against erosion, storm surge, and the relentless wear of tidal waters. When a seawall begins to show signs of deterioration — cracking, leaning, undermining, or failing cap sections — prompt action protects both your shoreline and the value of your property.
Glen Boe & Associates provides complete seawall design and permitting services throughout Monroe County. Our licensed professional engineer prepares all design drawings in-house, and our team manages every required permit through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Seawall Permits Required in the Florida Keys
Most seawall repair, replacement, and new construction projects in Monroe County require permits from multiple agencies:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) Seawall work in tidal and navigable waters requires ACOE authorization under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and/or Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Depending on project scope, this may be a Nationwide Permit verification or an individual permit application.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) An Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) is required for seawall construction, repair, and replacement in Florida’s coastal waters and wetlands. Glen Boe & Associates prepares complete ERP applications including all required engineering drawings and environmental documentation.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Projects with potential impacts to coral or other benthic resources within the Sanctuary require FKNMS coordination. Our FKNMS-approved biologist conducts any required benthic resource survey, and our team manages Sanctuary authorization as part of the permitting process.
Local Building Permit A local building permit is required from Monroe County, the Village of Islamorada, the City of Marathon, the City of Layton, or the City of Key West depending on your property location. Glen Boe & Associates designs all projects to comply with applicable local building regulations and provides your contractor with all agency approvals to support the local permit application.
Our Seawall Permitting Process
Site Assessment — We visit your property to evaluate existing conditions and identify all permitting requirements before any work begins.
Design — Our licensed PE prepares seawall design drawings that meet ACOE, FDEP, and local building standards. All drawings are prepared in-house — no outside engineering subcontractors.
Applications & Submission — We prepare and submit complete ACOE and FDEP permit applications with all required documentation, engineering drawings, and environmental data.
Agency Coordination — We follow up with agency reviewers, respond to any requests for additional information, and track your application through to approval.
Contractor Handoff — Once permits are issued, we provide your contractor with all approvals and remain available to answer any questions that arise during the local building permit process or construction.
Why Choose Glen Boe & Associates for Seawall Permitting
Since 1984, our family-owned firm has designed and permitted seawalls throughout the Florida Keys — from Ocean Reef to Key West. We know Monroe County’s waterways, the agency reviewers who process these applications, and the environmental conditions that affect permitting outcomes in each area of the Keys.
Our licensed PE prepares all design drawings in-house. Our FKNMS-approved biologist conducts any required benthic surveys. Our project team tracks every application from submission through approval. Nothing is subcontracted.
Ready to get started? Contact Glen Boe & Associates for a free consultation. (305) 743-9121 | glenboe@bellsouth.net