Marine construction in Sarasota covers new docks, boat lifts, seawalls, and pilings, and every project has to be permitted by the right authority: the City of Sarasota inside city limits, or Sarasota County's Water and Navigation Control Authority on unincorporated waterfront.
866-398-9323Licensed seawall specialists — FL · GA · SC
Seawall Repairs by Solid Foundations provides marine construction in Sarasota, FL for waterfront homeowners, HOAs, and commercial owners. Typical projects include new docks and lifts on Siesta Key canals, replacement seawalls on Bird Key built to the city's height limit, and helical-supported pilings along Roberts Bay. Call 866-398-9323 or use the quote form to book a free on-site inspection.
Two sets of local rules matter most, and which one applies depends on your address.
| Topic | City of Sarasota | Unincorporated Sarasota County |
|---|---|---|
| Who reviews | City permitting and city engineer | Environmental Protection Division, WNCA code (Ch. 54, Art. XX) |
| Seawall height | Top may not exceed 7.27 ft NAVD88; engineer can require less | Reviewed under county permits |
| Gulf or pass frontage | Armoring needs City Commission special permit after a public hearing | Construction seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line needs a County Commission variance |
| New dock | City building permit | WNCA Minor Work Permit typically |
| Repair or replace existing permitted structure | City building permit | WNCA General Permit typically |
| Projects outside standard limits | Case by case | WNCA Major Work Permit |
Sources: City of Sarasota Sec. VII-1304 and Sarasota County EPD.
Dock length, width, and setback limits depend on the specific code section, the waterway, and seagrass on site. We confirm those for your lot at the design stage rather than guessing from a general rule.
Combining dock and seawall work while crews and permits are already in place usually saves money. See bulkhead replacement in Sarasota.
Sarasota took a direct hit in 2024 when Milton made landfall on Siesta Key, only two weeks after Helene's surge swept the coast. The City of Sarasota's planning board even had to postpone its seawall-height hearing because Milton hit that day. New docks and walls here should be designed for surge, uplift, and debris, with pilings set into soil that can hold. Where the ground is soft, see marine foundation repair in Sarasota.
New dock construction in Sarasota typically runs $400–$800 per linear foot, and new seawall or bulkhead construction runs $250–$600 per linear foot. Lift size, piling depth, access, and engineering all affect the total.
We also build in Bradenton and Punta Gorda. See our full Sarasota seawall repair page, or contact us to set up a site visit.
Yes. Sarasota County typically handles new docks with a Water and Navigation Control Authority Minor Work Permit, and state or federal authorization may also apply.
The top can't exceed 7.27 feet NAVD88, and the city engineer can require less if neighbors would be affected.
If the wall is near the end of its life, yes. Building a new dock on a failing wall means tearing it out again later.
Permitting usually takes longer than construction. Once permits are issued, most residential docks and lifts are built within weeks.
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866-398-9323