Broward County dock license: the 500 sq ft test and a decision helper
Broward County uses a 500 square foot test to separate a general license from a standard Environmental Resource License. This page explains the test, adds a small decision helper, and shows where the other agencies come in.
Short answerBroward County's general license covers new docks of 500 sq ft or less over water (measured from the wet face of the seawall at mean high water) with no dredging or fill beyond pilings,[1] and repair or replacement of existing docks if the new and existing structure together stay within 500 sq ft with no added waterward fill.[2] A general license is issued within 10 days of a complete application.[3] Larger docks need an Environmental Resource License.[4]
A correction to common summaries. The general license provisions are in Sec. 27-336 of the Broward County Code, Chapter 27, Article XI. Some online summaries point to Sec. 27-340, which is a different section (other licenses, permits or authorizations). We read the general license text directly in Sec. 27-336.[2]
Dock license helper: general license or Environmental Resource License?
Assumptions and sources. Rules applied: general license for repair or replacement of existing docks up to 500 sq ft total with no added waterward fill;[2] general license for new docks, seawall caps or floating docks of 500 sq ft or less where no dredging or fill is needed except pilings;[1] Environmental Resource License for docks over 500 sq ft, dredging or fill over 20 cubic yards, new boat slips or wetland impacts;[4] a general license does not authorize mangrove alteration or seagrass impacts.[5] The tool applies only these tests. It does not know your canal, your city, state or federal requirements, or any exemptions we did not verify.
Worked example of the 500 sq ft arithmetic
An existing dock is 10 ft by 30 ft, which is 300 sq ft. You want to add a 10 ft by 20 ft section, which is 200 sq ft. Together that is 500 sq ft, at the limit. Add a 5 sq ft landing and the total is 505 sq ft, over the limit. Remember the code counts the over-water structure measured from the seawall face at mean high water, so the number on a survey may differ from what you measure on the dock.[2]
The layers: who else is involved
| Layer | What the sources say | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Broward County, Environmental Permitting Division | General license or Environmental Resource License depending on size and impacts.[2] Contact [email protected], 954-519-1454.[6] | General license issued within 10 days of a complete application.[3] Standard license: ask the county; we found no reliable published timeline. |
| Your city (Fort Lauderdale shown) | A permit is required before building docks, slips, davits, hoists or mooring piles; ownership or owner consent is certified.[7] Other cities have their own rules; ask yours. | Ask the city. A contractor reports 4 to 8 weeks of added time for projects needing permits,[8] another 2 to 8 weeks for typical structural repairs on permitted docks.[9] Both are vendor statements. |
| State and federal (FDEP, SFWMD, Army Corps) | Permits or verifications may also be required depending on scope; Broward has delegation agreements for some state permits and for State Programmatic General Permit VI-R1 projects not on sovereign submerged lands.[10] SPGP VI covers docks and other minor piling-supported structures, with excluded areas.[11] | Depends on the route. Ask the county first; it explains which agencies apply. |
Things we could not settle from the sources
- Whether replacing a few deck boards or other minor, like-for-like maintenance needs a county license or city permit. A contractor says redecking generally does not,[12] but the code text we read lists repairs inside the general license, so ask the county and the city.
- Timelines and fees for an Environmental Resource License, and the city's current dock permit checklist and fees. Ask the agencies for current figures.
Printable checklist before you call
- Folio number and a survey or site plan showing the seawall and the existing dock
- Existing over-water area in square feet, measured from the seawall wet face at mean high water
- Whether the dock or lift was previously licensed, and the license number if so (the county form asks)[13]
- Whether you plan any dredging, fill beyond pilings, or new boat slips
- Whether there are mangroves or seagrass at the site
- Your city building department contact and the permit it requires
- A contractor who can describe which approvals they will handle
Common questions
What is the 500 square foot rule for Broward docks?
Broward's general license covers installing docks and similar over-water structures of 500 square feet or less, measured from the wet face of the seawall at mean high water, where no dredging or filling is needed except for pilings.[1] For repair or replacement of an existing dock, the new and existing structure together may not exceed 500 square feet.[2]
How long does a Broward general license take?
The county code says a general license is issued within 10 days after receipt of a complete application.[3] Review by your city and other agencies is separate and not covered by that 10 days.
Do seawall caps count toward the 500 square feet?
The code's repair provision says the over-water structure, including docks or seawall caps, may not be enlarged beyond 500 square feet in total for new and existing structure.[2]
What if my dock is over 500 square feet?
The county lists docks over 500 square feet over water, dredging or filling over 20 cubic yards, new boat slips and impacts to wetlands or surface waters as needing an Environmental Resource License, which is a longer review than a general license.[4]
Related: Repair or replace checklist · Boat lift permits
Sources and verified dates
Statements marked [n] come from these sources. Seller pages are listed as ranges they publish, not as quotes. If a rule or fee matters to a decision, confirm it with the agency before you act.
- Broward County (Primary: county code (Municode text))
General license covers installing over-water structures, docks, seawall caps or floating docks of 500 sq ft or less over-water surface, measured from the wet face of the seawall at MHW, where no dredging or filling is needed except to install pilings (Sec. 27-336(a)(1)e).
Broward County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27, Art. XI, Sec. 27-336 (General licenses) · second copy
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County (Primary: county code (Municode text))
General license covers repair or replacement of existing docks and pilings if no added waterward fill is used and the new or repaired over-water structure, including docks or seawall caps, is not enlarged beyond a total of 500 sq ft over-water surface, measured from the wet face of the seawall at mean high water (Sec. 27-336(a)(1)a).
Broward County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27, Art. XI, Sec. 27-336 (General licenses) · second copy
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County (Primary: county code (Municode text))
A general license is issued within 10 days after receipt of a complete application (Sec. 27-336(a)(1)).
Broward County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 27, Art. XI, Sec. 27-336 (General licenses) · second copy
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County Environmental Permitting Division (Primary: county agency page)
An Environmental Resource License (standard) is required for docks over 500 sq ft over water measured from the seawall wet face, dredging or filling more than 20 cubic yards, new boat slips, and impacts to wetlands or surface waters.
Broward County ePermits OneStop: Environmental Resource License and General License pages
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County (Primary: county application form)
A general license does not authorize mangrove alteration or impacts to submerged aquatic vegetation (seagrasses) or other natural resources.
Broward County Application for an Environmental Resource General License (form)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County Environmental Permitting Division (Primary: county agency page)
Environmental Permitting Division contact for general licenses: [email protected], 954-519-1454.
Broward County ePermits OneStop: Environmental Resource License and General License pages
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - City of Fort Lauderdale (Primary: city code (Municode and elaws text agree))
Before construction, a permit for docks, slips, boat davits, hoists, mooring piles or similar boat mooring structures must be obtained from the development services department; work on or in navigable waters also needs approval of all governmental authorities that regulate it; the applicant certifies ownership of the abutting land or produces the owner's written consent (Sec. 8-91(b)).
City of Fort Lauderdale Code of Ordinances, Ch. 8, Art. IV, Sec. 8-91 (Mooring structures) · second copy
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Permit requirements, which apply to structural dock repairs but generally not like-for-like redecking, add 4 to 8 weeks to the timeline for projects that need them (vendor statement).
JKT Marine: How Much Does Dock Repair Cost in South Florida? (2026 Guide)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Souffront Contractors (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
Most standard structural repairs on existing permitted docks fall in a two to eight week permitting range; new construction or major alterations can take six months or more (vendor statement).
Souffront Contractors: Dock Repair Cost in South Florida
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County Environmental Permitting Division (Primary: county agency page)
Permits or exemption verifications may also be required from FDEP, SFWMD and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers depending on scope; Broward has delegation agreements with FDEP and SFWMD for some Environmental Resource Permits and with the Corps for State Programmatic General Permit VI-R1 projects not on sovereign submerged lands.
Broward County ePermits OneStop: Environmental Resource License and General License pages
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Florida DEP (Primary: state agency page)
State Programmatic General Permit VI covers docks, piers and other minor piling-supported structures, shoreline stabilization and boat ramps, with listed excluded areas such as federal navigation channels.
Florida DEP: Federal Permits and Coordination (State Programmatic General Permit VI)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - JKT Marine (contractor) (Seller published range (contractor bias))
The vendor says like-for-like surface redecking typically needs no permit, while structural repairs, piling replacement and footprint changes generally do (vendor statement; confirm with the city and county).
JKT Marine: How Much Does Dock Repair Cost in South Florida? (2026 Guide)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026. - Broward County (Primary: county application form)
The general license application asks for the owner name, the location of the work including folio number, whether existing structures were previously licensed by the county, and a description of the work.
Broward County Application for an Environmental Resource General License (form)
Verified on Oct 31, 2026.