Coastal Construction

Shoreline Protection

Shoreline protection zone means the area that commences at the mean high water line and runs to and includes the primary dune system. The Shoreline Protection Zone in Santa Rosa County shall also be known as the "Beach Preservation Zone."

Zone-1

The following areas along the Gulf of Mexico and Santa Rosa Sound shall be considered within Shoreline Protection Zone-1:

  1. The water-ward line shall run east-west along the line of mean high water.
  2. The landward line shall run east / west at a location coterminous with the crest of the primary dune system extending along the Gulf-fronting shoreline of the Navarre Beach Planning Area. However, in no case shall any prohibition apply landward of the Coastal Construction Control Line nor to any structure or activity permitted under F.S 161.053 (5).
  3. For sound-side properties the shoreline protection zone shall be the mean high tide line of Santa Rosa Sound.

Zone-2

Zone-2 is the Shoreline Protection Zone on Escambia Bay, Black­water Bay, East Bay and the basins and bayous and shall be measured from the mean high water line to a point 5 feet landward of the mean high water line. For complete rules and regulations refer to Land Development Code - Chapter 3

Coastal Construction

Docks, Piers and Mooring Devices: Non commercial structures such as piers, docks, wharves, mooring devices, lifting and launching devices, the decking of which is no higher than 5 feet above mean high water, are permitted as accessory structures where allowed in residential districts.

Such structures shall not extend seaward from the property line for more than 300 feet or 15% of the open water span at the point of installation whichever is less, except as provided in Section 5.02.04.E.2 of the Land Development Code.    If FDEP approves a structure longer than three hundred (300) feet because of the presence of seagrasses, the Planning Director can approve an administrative variance.

FDEP requires twenty five (25) foot side setbacks in riparian zones.  Section 18-21.004(3)(d), Florida Administrative Code, provides exceptions to the setbacks which are: private residential single family docks or piers associated with a parcel that has a shoreline frontage of less than 65 feet, where portions of such structures are located between riparian lines less than 65 feet apart, or where such structure is shared by two adjacent single family parcels; utility lines; bulkheads, seawalls, riprap or similar shoreline protection structures located along the shoreline; structures and activities previously authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund; structures and activities previously authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund; structures and activities built or occurring prior to any requirement for Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund authorization; when a letter of concurrence is obtained from the affected adjacent upland riparian owner; or when the Board determines that locating any portion of the structure or activity within the setback area is necessary to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to natural resources.

Public Access

When structures are constructed on waterfront property and are to cross on or over areas of public access, this access may not be impeded or blocked by such structures. The owner of said structure must construct or provide public access. This provision shall apply only to water front property located on 

  • Blackwater Bay south of Interstate 10
  • East Bay
  • Escambia Bay south of Highway 90
  • Santa Rosa Sound

Pre-Construction Approval

A zoning approval from the Community Planning, Zoning and Development Division and a building permit from the Building Inspection Department before construction can begin on the construction of:

  • Boathouses
  • Docks
  • Dolphin poles
  • Piers
  • Retaining walls
  • Seawalls

For complete rules and regulations refer to Land Development Code - Chapter 3 and Chapter 5.