Florida Keys Marine Permitting

Permits & Design
Handled In-House.

Marine construction permits in the Florida Keys involve Monroe County, FDEP, and in many cases federal agencies. The process is detailed, time-sensitive, and unforgiving of errors. We handle it entirely in-house — from initial drawings through final agency approval — so you can focus on your project, not the paperwork.

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Why It Matters

Permits in the Keys
are not an afterthought.

Many contractors treat permitting as a box to check — something that happens after the real planning is done. In the Florida Keys, that approach causes delays, redesigns, and in some cases projects that cannot be built at all. The regulatory environment here is specific, and working within it requires experience with the agencies, the environmental requirements, and the seasonal restrictions that govern what can be built and when.

We have been navigating Keys marine construction permits for over 25 years. We know which projects require Monroe County approval only and which involve FDEP, Army Corps, and federal review. We know which environmental assessments are required, when seasonal work windows apply, and how to prepare drawings that meet agency standards on the first submission.

Permitting is not a separate service we bolt on — it is built into how we approach every project from day one. When design, permitting, and construction are managed by the same team, the process moves more efficiently and the risk of errors that cause delays is significantly reduced.

All Permits Managed In-House Monroe County, FDEP, Army Corps, and HOA applications — prepared, submitted, and followed through to approval by our team.
Construction-Ready Drawings Structural drawings and plans prepared to agency standards — designed to pass review on the first submission, not after revisions.
Timeline Awareness We know which permits require longer review cycles, when seasonal construction windows apply, and how to plan your project around these realities.
Agency Communication Handled We communicate directly with reviewing agencies, respond to requests for additional information, and keep your project moving without requiring your involvement at every step.
Environmental Compliance We understand the environmental protection requirements specific to the Florida Keys — coral, seagrass, and marine habitat — and design around them from the start.
How It Works

From site visit
to permit in hand.

Here is how we manage the permitting process for a typical Keys marine construction project — from the first conversation through construction approval.

01

Site Assessment

We visit your property, evaluate the site conditions, and identify the applicable permits and agencies for your specific project and location. This step determines the permitting path before any drawings are started.

02

Design & Drawings

We prepare structural drawings, site plans, and any required environmental documentation. Plans are developed to meet the specific standards of each reviewing agency so that first-submission approval is the target, not the exception.

03

Permit Submission

Applications are submitted to Monroe County, FDEP, Army Corps, and any other applicable agencies. We handle all coordination, respond to agency requests, and track each application through the review process.

04

Approval & Construction

Once permits are approved, we move directly into construction with the same crew. No handoffs, no re-explaining the project to a different team — the people who pulled the permits are the people who build the structure.

Who We Work With

Multiple agencies,
one point of contact.

Marine construction permits in the Florida Keys frequently involve more than one agency. Depending on the scope and location of your project, approval may be required from some or all of the following. We know which agencies apply to which project types, and we manage all of the coordination so you do not have to.

You sign the applications where required. We handle everything else — submissions, follow-ups, responses to requests for additional information, and tracking each permit through to final approval.

Monroe County Building & Permitting
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
HOA & property-specific approvals where applicable
Common Questions

Permitting questions
answered.

What property owners in the Keys most commonly want to know about the marine construction permit process before starting a project.

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In the Florida Keys, virtually all marine construction requires permits — including new docks, seawalls, bulkheads, boat lifts, pilings, boathouses, and repairs or modifications to existing structures. Even work that seems minor may require agency review depending on the location, the size of the structure, and its proximity to sensitive marine habitats. We assess permit requirements as part of the initial site evaluation.
We recommend starting at least three to six months before your target construction date — and earlier is better for more complex projects involving multiple agencies. Permit timelines in the Keys vary depending on project scope, the agencies involved, and current review workloads. Starting early gives us the most flexibility to manage the process and keep your project on schedule.
Minimally. You will need to sign permit applications where the property owner's signature is required, and you should be available to review drawings before submission. Beyond that, we handle all agency communication, follow-up, and coordination. We keep you informed at key milestones so you always know where things stand — without requiring your involvement in the day-to-day process.
Many properties in the Keys are adjacent to or within areas that require additional environmental review — seagrass beds, coral reef zones, and mangrove shorelines all have specific regulatory protections. We assess these factors during the site evaluation and design around them where possible. When environmental review is required, we prepare the necessary assessments and manage that process as part of the overall permitting work.
Our permitting and design services are primarily offered as part of a complete project — design, permits, and construction with the same crew. If you have a specific situation that falls outside of this, reach out and we can discuss what makes sense for your project.

Ready to get your
project permitted?

Reach out for a free consultation. We will assess your project scope, identify the applicable permits, and walk you through the timeline and process before any work begins.

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