Marine construction in Fort Myers covers docks, lifts, boathouses, seawalls, and pilings, and each project must follow either City of Fort Myers permitting or Lee County's dock and shoreline code, depending on where the property sits.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine construction in Fort Myers, FL for riverfront homeowners, HOAs, and commercial owners. Typical projects include new docks on the Caloosahatchee sized to Lee County's channel-width limit, replacement seawalls with required riprap on canals in Iona and Whiskey Creek, and docks and lifts inside city limits. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
Lee County's 2022 code sets these single-family limits (Lee County Ord. 22-24):
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Dock length, including mooring area | Max 200 ft and max 25% of navigable channel width |
| Side setback, marginal dock (natural waterbody) | 10 ft |
| Side setback, other docks on 65+ ft of shoreline | 25 ft |
| Lifts and mooring pilings on 65+ ft of shoreline | 10 ft |
| Lots with under 65 ft of shoreline | 10 ft for docks, lifts, and pilings |
| Water depth at slips (natural waterbodies) | 3 ft at mean low water |
| Boathouse roofed area | Max 500 sq ft each; 1,000 sq ft total per property |
| Boathouse height | Max 20 ft above mean high water |
Combining dock and seawall work usually saves money. See bulkhead replacement in Fort Myers.
Two Lee County rules shape shoreline designs more than any other. On natural waterbodies, new or expanded seawalls aren't allowed, so riverfront projects often pair an in-kind wall replacement or a rock revetment with the new dock. On canals, any new or replacement seawall needs riprap along at least half its length. We lay out the dock, lift, and rock together so boat access stays clear.
Ian's surge reversed the river's flow and flooded Fort Myers streets in 2022, with 5 to 8 feet of inundation up the Caloosahatchee. Across Lee County, at least 5,369 structures were destroyed. Docks and lifts should be designed for uplift and debris and set on pilings that reach firm soil. Where soil is soft, see marine foundation repair in Fort Myers.
New docks in Fort Myers typically cost $400–$800 per linear foot, and new seawall or bulkhead construction runs $250–$600 per linear foot. Lift size, piling depth, required rock, and access affect the total.
We also build in Cape Coral and Naples. See the Fort Myers seawall repair page, or contact us for a site visit.
Up to 200 feet, but never more than 25% of the navigable channel width, including the mooring area.
On natural waterbodies, 25 feet for most docks on lots with 65 feet or more of shoreline, and 10 feet for marginal docks, lifts, and smaller lots.
In unincorporated Lee County, a boathouse can have up to 500 square feet of roofed area, up to 1,000 square feet total per property, and stand no more than 20 feet above mean high water.
Yes. The city's checklist requires an FDEP authorization letter for all marine-related work.
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866-398-9323