Sea Walls in Miami, FL
Guardians of the Coastline: Protecting Property and Preserving Beauty — serving Miami and the surrounding waterfront communities.
Do I need a permit for a seawall in Miami?
Yes — seawall construction, repair, or replacement in Miami-Dade requires a Class I Permit from Miami-Dade DERM, and replacement work is generally limited to the mean high water line or no more than 18 inches waterward of the existing wall's location.
Why are so many Miami seawalls being raised or rebuilt right now?
Miami's king tide season, typically September through November, now regularly brings tidal water to or above the caps of older seawalls built decades ago, and Florida's sea level has risen about 8 inches since 1950 — both factors driving seawall repair and replacement work across the county.
What sea walls 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.
Seawall repair or replacement in Miami-Dade is capped at the mean high water line or no more than 18 inches waterward of the wall's existing location under DERM's Class I permitting rules.
Miami's king tide season (roughly September-November) regularly pushes tidal water to or over the caps of older seawalls, a driving factor behind current seawall replacement demand.
Florida's sea level has risen about 8 inches since 1950, with projections of 10-17 inches more by 2040 compared to 2000 — a trend factored into new seawall height and design in Miami.
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 sea walls process, materials, and options, see the full Sea Walls page. Want to explore other cities we serve? Visit Areas Served.
Sea Walls in Miami — Frequently Asked Questions
Miami-Dade DERM issues the Class I Permit required for seawall construction, repair, and replacement countywide; FDEP or the Army Corps of Engineers may also have jurisdiction depending on the waterway.
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.