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      Dock/Dredge & Fill Permitting

    The Pinellas County Water and Navigation Control Authority was established in 1953 by the Florida Legislature in order to provide adequate regulation and control in Pinellas County of all water-related areas and their alterations. This includes dredging, filling, pumping, or otherwise altering the shoreline and land contours. Control of Pinellas County waterways is regulated through the requirement of a permitting process.

    Board Records is a Department under the Clerk of the Circuit Court. The Department’s responsibilities, relative to dock/dredge and fill permitting, include collection of permitting fees, acceptance and review of permit applications, and issuance of approved permits. The Department of Environmental Management is responsible for maintaining permit application forms, inspecting dock construction and approving permits.

    You may obtain a permit application form online or obtain a form at the location below.

    Prior to submitting a permit application, you are encouraged to review the Water and Navigation Control Authority Regulations along with any other dock/dredge and fill information located on the Department of Environmental Management web site. Links to both can be found on the menu to the right
    Links
    Department of Environmental Management Home Page and Permit Application forms
    Water & Navigation Regulations
    Permit Applications Received
    Contractor Information and Deposit Accounts
    Permit Fees/Deposit
    Frequently Asked Questions

    Contact Information

    Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board Records Department
    (Click for Driving Directions)
    Clearwater Courthouse - 315 Court Street, 5th Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756
    Tel: (727) 464-3464

     
    Dock/Dredge & Fill Permit Applications Received

    The following report files are in a *.PDF format which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat and would like to download it, use this link:
    DOWNLOAD ADOBE ACROBAT
    Area 1 Crystal Beach, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs
    Area 2 Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Short, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach
    Area 3 Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Largo, North Redington Beach, Pinellas Park, Redington Beach
    Area 4 Gulfport, Madeira Beach, South Pasadena, St. Pete Beach
    Area 5 St. Petersburg
    Area 6 Tierra Verde, Treasure Island

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    You are encouraged to review the Water & Navigation Control Authority Regulations for detailed information regarding permitting.

    1. When is a permit required?
    2. Who can apply for a permit?
    3. Are there permitting fees and what are they?
    4. Where can I obtain permit applications?
    5. How long does it take for permit approval?
    6. How long is a permit valid?
    7. After a permit is issued, what is the process for submitting revisions?
    8. How can I determine if a permit was ever issued for a property?
    9. How can I acquire a copy of a previous permit issued for a property?
    10. When is a Variance not required for a dock?
    11. What should the drawing page of a dock application contain?
    12. Are there any special requirements for Condominium/Villa/Town Home/Mobile Home Park residents?
    13. Do I need to do anything if I decide to change contractors after my permit is issued?
    14. If I purchased a home and the previous owner obtained a permit but the work was never completed, do I need to re-apply for a new permit?
    15. Can a roof be constructed over a dock?
    16. Who can perform dock construction?
    17. When would a public hearing deposit be imposed and what does it cover?
    18. Where can I obtain a Seawall permit?

    Divider Bar

    Image of a Q When is a permit required?
    Image of an A A permit is required for any of the following:

      • All new dock construction. (This includes additional square footage to an existing dock).
      • Structural repairs (i.e. stringers, pilings, etc.).
      • Replacing or adding new Tie Poles.
      • Boatlifts. (Replacement of a previously permitted boatlift does not require a permit unless pilings are being replaced and the boatlift is being reconstructed without enclosed sides).
      • Dredge & fill activities.
      • New Seawall.
      • RipRap

    If you’re not sure if your project requires a permit, please call the Department of Environmental Management at (727) 453-3385

    Refer to the Water & Navigation Control Authority Regulations for additional requirements that may apply.


    Image of a Q Who can apply for a permit?
    Image of an AEither a homeowner or an authorized agent.

    Image of a Q Are there permitting fees and what are they?
    Image of an AYes. Click this link for current Permitting Fees.


    Image of a Q Where can I obtain permit applications?
    Image of an ADock/Dredge & Fill applications can be acquired by any of the following:

    Image of a Q How long does it take for permit approval?
    Image of an A In some cases, Permit Application forms can be processed the same day. If a more detailed review is required by the Department of Environmental Management, the application is normally processed within 12 days (e.g., if the project is located in an environmentally sensitive area or if there are navigational concerns or variances). Some applications, such as those requiring public hearings or for larger commercial or multi-use projects, may take longer to process.

    Image of a Q How long is a permit valid?
    Image of an AA Dock or Dredge & Fill permit is valid for three (3) years from date of issuance; a fourth year can be requested.

    Image of a Q After a permit is issued, what is the process for submitting revisions?
    Image of an ATo submit revisions to a previously issued permit:
      • Xerox a copy of the previously issued permit.
      • Use the copy to indicate any revisions.
      • Write “Revised” next to the permit number on the top right of the application on all pages being revised.
      • Re-sign the “Revised” application in all applicable areas.
      • If changes were made to the drawing page, municipality approval must be obtained.
      • Submit to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board Records Department, 315 Court Street, 5th Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756.
    Additional fees may or may not apply.

    Image of a Q How can I determine if a permit was ever issued for a property?
    Image of an AClick on this link for permit applications received and search for the property address. If you are searching for permits issued for the current year or need assistance locating an old permit, call Board Records at (727) 464-3464.

    Image of a Q How can I acquire a copy of a previous permit issued for a property?
    Image of an ACall Board Records at (727) 464-3464, or email you request. The previous permit will be accessed and printed from Microfilm. If you have established a “Deposit Account” , the information can be faxed. Otherwise, you will need to visit the Clearwater Courthouse, 315 Court Street, Board Records Dept., 5th Floor, Clearwater, Fl. 33756 to pick up the copies at a charge of 15 cents per page.

    Image of a Q When is a Variance not required for a dock?
    Image of an A The “normal” guidelines for a dock not requiring a variance is as follows:
      • Construction is contained within the middle 1/3 of the property. For example, if the property is 60 feet wide at the waterfront, the dock/boatlift would need to be contained within the middle 20 feet of the waterfront. (Tie poles are excluded in this analysis).
      • The dock’s length does not exceed 50% of the waterfront width. (Tie poles are excluded in this analysis).
      • The water depth is greater than 18 inches at low tide.

    Any deviation to the above requires a variance.

    Refer to the Water & Navigation Control Authority Regulations for additional variance requirements that may apply and for special restrictions regarding the Lake Tarpon and Lake Seminole areas.


    Image of a Q What should the drawing page of a dock application contain?
    Image of an A All drawings shown on the drawing page must be to scale. You should follow the guidelines shown on the sample drawing page included with the application. If you would like any assistance with this, please contact the Department of Environmental Management at (727) 453-3385.

    If the site is in an incorporated area, city approval must be obtained in the “Municipality Approval” block at the bottom left of the drawing page unless the site is in the incorporated areas of Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach and North Redington Beach. Applications within those municipalities are first reviewed and approved by the Pinellas County Building Department prior to obtaining municipality approval. (In all cases, municipality approval must be acquired prior to submitting the application to the Board Records Department).

    If the dock is a new “Multi-Use” or “Commercial” dock, an Engineers seal is required. (An Engineers seal is not required if the construction is only repairing an existing permitted dock, adding a boatlift and/or tie poles). All floating docks require a Florida State Certified Engineers Seal, unless they have been pre-certified by the manufacturer.


    Image of a Q Are there any special requirements for Condominium/Villa/Town Home/Mobile Home Park residents?
    Image of an A Yes. An approval letter, signed by one of the community association officers, authorizing the construction, must accompany the permit application.

    Image of a Q Do I need to do anything if I decide to change contractors after my permit is issued?
    Image of an A Yes. A letter is required from the homeowner to include the following information:
      • Permit number.
      • Site address where dock is being added/upgraded.
      • Name of old contractor.
      • Name of new contractor.

    Sign and date the letter and submit to the Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board Records Department, 315 Court Street, 5th Floor, Clearwater, FL 33756.


    Image of a Q If I purchased a home and the previous owner obtained a permit but the work was never completed, do I need to re-apply for a new permit?
    Image of an A Only if the construction plans are changing or the permit has expired. As long as the dock is being constructed exactly as approved and the permit has not expired, the previous homeowner’s permit can be used.

    Image of a Q Can a roof be constructed over a dock?
    Image of an A Roofs are allowed only over boatlifts and not over the dock structure.

    Image of a Q Who can perform dock construction?
    Image of an A A property owner or licensed contractor.

    If a contractor is performing the construction, the contractor must possess a valid class “A” general contractor’s license or a marine contractor’s license issued by the Pinellas County Construction and Licensing Board (PCCLB).


    Image of a Q When would a public hearing deposit be imposed and what does it cover?
    Image of an A Certain applications require a public hearing, as outlined in the Pinellas County Water and Navigational Control Authority regulations. Generally, these are applications for docks that are over 500 square feet in size, dredge and fill applications over 100 cubic yards, or applications with certain variances. Since the County is required to advertise public hearings and hand-deliver or mail a notice to all property owners within a 500-foot radius of the proposed project, a $200 deposit is collected from the applicant to cover the advertising and mailing costs. Any monies not used will be returned to the applicant.

    Image of a Q Where can I obtain a Seawall permit?
    Image of an A Two permits may be required. First, construction permits for seawalls are issued by the local municipality for sites within incorporated areas of Pinellas County and by the Pinellas County Building Department for sites in unincorporated areas. Second, dredge and fill permits are issued by the Department of Environmental Management or the Water and Navigation Control Authority.

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    Contact Information
    Ken Burke, Clerk of the Circuit Court
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