Docks in Miami, FL
Anchoring Dreams with Durability and Design — serving Miami and the surrounding waterfront communities.
Do I need a permit to build a dock in Miami?
Yes — new dock construction and replacement in Miami-Dade requires a Class I Permit from Miami-Dade DERM, and if the lot has mangroves, trimming near the dock footprint needs separate approval under that same permit process.
How does Miami's tide affect dock design?
Because Miami's king tide season (roughly September-November) regularly brings tidal water to or above older seawall caps, dock decking height and piling design in Miami account for higher water levels than a standard inland or low-tide-range dock would need.
What docks looks like in Miami
Miami's king tide season, roughly September through November, regularly pushes tidal water to or above the caps of older seawalls, and Florida's sea level has risen about 8 inches since 1950, with projections of another 10-17 inches by 2040 compared to 2000.
Miami-Dade's network of primary canals, including the C-6 Miami Canal and C-8 Biscayne Canal managed by the South Florida Water Management District, drains into Biscayne Bay and forms the residential waterway system that gives canal-front homes in neighborhoods like Shorecrest direct boat access.
Dock construction and replacement in Miami-Dade requires a Class I Permit from Miami-Dade DERM, the same permit category covering pilings and mooring hardware.
Many canal-front lots in neighborhoods like Shorecrest connect to Miami-Dade's managed canal system, which feeds into Biscayne Bay via primary canals such as the C-6 Miami Canal.
Dock structures built in Miami fall under the state's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone wind-load rules, since all of Miami-Dade County is inside the HVHZ.
We regularly work in Coconut Grove, Brickell, Morningside and Shorecrest, and coordinate permitting with Miami-Dade County's Department of Environmental Resources Management (DERM) — a Class I Permit is required for work in tidal waters and coastal wetlands countywide; FDEP, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may also have jurisdiction depending on the project.
For the complete breakdown of our docks process, materials, and options, see the full Docks page. Want to explore other cities we serve? Visit Areas Served.
Docks in Miami — Frequently Asked Questions
Miami-Dade DERM issues the Class I Permit required for dock construction and replacement countywide; the Army Corps of Engineers or FDEP may also review projects on certain waterways.
Ready to build on the water in Miami?
Tell us about your Miami property and what you need built — we'll follow up to schedule a site visit and put together a quote.