Marine construction in Jacksonville includes docks, boathouses, lifts, bulkheads and pilings. Every project has to fit City of Jacksonville zoning limits and get state and federal approval where it's needed.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine construction in Jacksonville, FL for riverfront and Intracoastal homeowners, HOAs, and commercial owners. Typical projects include new docks and boathouses on the St. Johns, bulkheads on Ortega River lots, and dock replacements after flood damage. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
City of Jacksonville zoning sets the basic limits (City of Jacksonville)):
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| When a dock or boathouse is allowed | Only on a lot with a house |
| Dock side setback | The zoning district's minimum side yard |
| Boathouse size | 900 sq ft max |
| Boathouse height | 15 ft above mean high water max |
| Boathouse use | No sleeping or living quarters |
| Other approvals | FDEP and/or U.S. Army Corps permits required |
Because side-yard setbacks vary by zoning district, we check your lot's district before drawing anything.
Replacing a dock can be simpler. Florida law exempts replacing or repairing an existing dock within 5 feet of the same location and no larger, with no fill (Fla. Stat. 403.813). Local permits still apply.
Where your lot sits on the water changes the build. Near Mayport, the daily tide range is close to 5 feet on NOAA's datums, so floating docks and lift heights have to handle big swings. Upriver at the Buckman Bridge, the range is closer to a foot, but storm flooding is the bigger design load. Irma pushed the river to 5.3 feet above mean higher high water at the I-295 bridge. Deck heights, lift travel and tie-downs should all account for that. If your bulkhead is near the end of its life, build it first. See bulkhead replacement in Jacksonville.
We also think about the water in front of your lot. On the open river, long fetch builds real waves in a nor'easter, so decking and lift canopies need solid fastening. On the Intracoastal, steady boat traffic means wake against pilings all day. In a sheltered lagoon or creek, the bigger questions are water depth at low tide and how far the dock must reach to float your boat. We measure all of that on the first visit, so the design fits the water you actually have.
Marine construction in Jacksonville 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, water access and engineering drive the total.
Where soil is soft, pilings may need deeper support. See marine foundation repair in Jacksonville. Our Jacksonville seawall repair page lists all local services. We also build in St. Simons Island. Ready to start? Contact us.
Not under city zoning. Docks and boathouses are allowed only when there's a house on the lot.
Up to 900 square feet and no more than 15 feet above mean high water, with no living space inside.
Often, yes. Florida exempts replacing a dock within 5 feet of its old spot and no larger. You still need city permits.
Neptune Beach has its own municipal government and rules. We confirm which set applies before designing.
Licensed, insured, NCFI-certified. Serving Florida, Georgia & South Carolina since 1996.
866-398-9323