When it comes to marine construction projects and permits, one of the most common misconceptions among many people is that you do not need a permit for a floating dock. Many people believe that a special permit is not necessary for this type of dock as it is not connected to the shore or the ground, however, this is not true. In fact, floating docks have the most strict regulations.
Why Do You Need Permits for a Floating Dock?
While floating docks might float on the water, they can still have a major impact on the environment. The installation of a floating dock impacts the benthos (the submerged ocean floor life below the dock), effectively depleting the area below the water of all sunlight. Submerged aquatic vegetation and other resources such as sponges, coral, grass, algae, and more, need sunlight to grow. While you may not directly impact the water’s bottom layer due to the floating nature of the dock, floating docks deprive important vegetation and aquatic wildlife of sunlight, which will eventually result in their death.
What Permits Do You Need?
Floating dock permits are strict, but they are not impossible to obtain. Smaller docks that are under 160 square feet qualify for an RGP82 permit from the United States Army Corps, or an Environmental Protection exemption permit. Both are relatively easy to obtain, once you undergo a benthic survey which is a requirement in all floating dock installations to ensure that there is no vegetation below the surface that could potentially be harmed.
For a larger floating dock, permits are possible to obtain but require a longer and more tedious process. An individual permit must be obtained for large docks over 160 square feet, which is the hardest type of permit to obtain. Additionally, a thorough benthic survey must be completed, and mitigation will need to be done to relocate benthic resources that could be harmed by the installation of a larger dock.
Although the process of seeking permits for a floating dock can be tedious, it is important to obtain an appropriate permit before undergoing construction so that you don’t receive a code violation in the future or risk complications with future permits for additional projects.
Get Help Securing Your Dock Permits
In summary, it is necessary to obtain proper permits for a floating dock. These types of permits have strict regulations and are considered to be the hardest type of permit to obtain when it comes to marine construction projects. Securing dock permits requires help from experts with knowledge of local laws and requirements. Rapid Permits and Engineering makes the process of obtaining permits easy, so you can reclaim control over your projects and save yourself from a time and money-consuming hassle. Contact us today to learn more about floating dock permits and for more information about how we can help you obtain yours as quickly as possible.
