The checklist, item by item
The Department of Sustainable Development's seawall permit checklist, approved August 1, 2024, asks for (city checklist):
- all construction documents submitted digitally through the Building Division's online portal,
- a site plan showing the location of the work,
- a digitally signed and sealed survey with existing and proposed elevations,
- digitally signed and sealed plans for the seawall and piles by a Florida licensed architect or engineer,
- a special building inspector form, completed by a Florida licensed engineer, for pile installation or for concrete panels poured on site,
- a final survey after completion.
Agency letters: permits or "no objection"
New work or repair on seawalls, docks and boat lifts must get permits, licenses or correspondence of no objection from four agencies: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District, Broward County Environmental and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (city checklist). A no-objection letter is how an agency says the work is outside its jurisdiction. Either way, the city wants something in writing from each one.
Why the survey matters twice
The survey with proposed elevations is how the city checks your design against Section 8-90's 5 foot NAVD88 standard, and the final survey shows what was built. If the work is a substantial repair, the proposed elevation has to meet the code along the whole shoreline. See the Hallandale Beach seawall height requirement.
Where to go
The Department of Sustainable Development is at 400 South Federal Highway. The checklist notes it is not all-inclusive and other requirements may apply as codes change, so confirm with the Building Division before you submit. Your licensed contractor normally assembles the package; check any license on MyFloridaLicense.com.