Marine construction on Hilton Head covers new docks, lifts, bulkheads, and pilings. Because nearly all of it is in South Carolina's critical area, each project is designed around SC dock rules and permitted through the SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine construction in Hilton Head Island, SC for homeowners, property owners' associations, and commercial waterfronts. Typical projects include new private docks crossing the marsh to Skull Creek, joint-use docks for neighboring lots on Broad Creek, and bulkheads for lagoon and creek homes. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection. Licensed to perform marine construction in Georgia and South Carolina.
SC Regulation 30-12 governs private docks across the coast, including Hilton Head (SC Reg. 30-12):
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Docks per lot | One |
| Where it must reach | The first navigable creek within your extended property lines |
| Walkway height | At least 3 ft above mean high water |
| Private walkway width | Up to 4 ft |
| Distance from extended property lines | 20 ft (not required between joint-use owners) |
| Frontage for a private dock (lots subdivided after May 23, 1993) | 75 ft at the marsh edge |
| Frontage for a joint-use dock | 50 ft per lot |
| Lots under 50 ft at the marsh edge | Not eligible |
| Maximum length over critical area | 1,000 ft |
Pierhead and float size also depends on creek width, from 120 square feet on creeks 20 to 50 feet wide up to 600 square feet on creeks wider than 150 feet. Special site conditions can change the answer in some cases. Joint-use docks may be allowed extra area, up to twice what a single dock would get. Boat lifts, davits, and boat storage are not allowed on docks in creeks narrower than 20 feet. We measure creek width from marsh edge to marsh edge at the site visit so the design starts from the right number.
Combining dock and bulkhead work often saves money. See bulkhead replacement on Hilton Head.
Marine construction in Hilton Head typically costs $400–$800 per linear foot for new dock construction and $250–$600 per linear foot for new seawall or bulkhead construction. Walkway length, piling depth, and access affect the final price.
In deep marsh mud, pilings may need extra support. See marine foundation repair on Hilton Head. Our Hilton Head seawall repair page covers wall work. We also build in Savannah and Beaufort. Ready to talk? Contact us.
Yes. South Carolina allows joint-use docks for adjacent lots with at least 50 feet of marsh-edge frontage each, and they can be larger than a single private dock.
SC rules require docks to reach the first navigable creek within your extended property lines, which is often the one closest to your lot.
Some communities review docks and bulkheads. We gather what they need alongside the state application.
Approvals take longer than construction. Once they're in hand, most residential docks are built in a few weeks.
Licensed, insured, NCFI-certified. Serving Florida, Georgia & South Carolina since 1996.
866-398-9323