Dock Permits in Charleston, SC

1. The state critical area permit

Docks, pierheads, floating docks, boat lifts and bulkheads in the marsh or the water need a critical area permit from SCDES (formerly DHEC-OCRM). Its Bureau of Coastal Management handles them.

For a private dock, the application includes:

• drawings stamped and signed by a South Carolina surveyor, engineer or landscape architect (they won't take hand drawings)
• a notarized ownership affidavit
• your neighbors' addresses, so they can be notified
• a one-day newspaper notice
• a 15-day public notice period

Community docks, commercial docks and marinas get a 30-day public notice. State fees apply.

2. The main dock rules

• One dock per waterfront lot.
• It has to reach the first navigable creek with a defined channel.
• Walkways have to sit at least three feet above mean high water. A private walkway can be up to 4 feet wide.
• On lots created after May 23, 1993, a private dock needs 75 feet of frontage at the marsh edge. A shared dock needs 50.
• The creek's width, measured from marsh grass to marsh grass, caps how big the pierhead, float and lift can be.
• Boat lifts have to be open-sided. No enclosed boathouses, and no flat roofs either.

3. The Army Corps

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, also regulates docks in the water. Private docks generally fall under the Corps' statewide dock permit, which is up for renewal. The state permit doesn't replace Corps, local, HOA or ARB approvals. For now, start at the Corps Charleston District website.

4. Your town, city or county

• Mount Pleasant. The Town's FAQ says dock permits come from the state office. Lots in the historic district also need Historic District Preservation Commission approval.
• City of Charleston (including Daniel Island and parts of James and Johns Island), Charleston County, Town of James Island: Check with your city, town or county too.
• Isle of Palms. You need a building or zoning permit before work starts, and pile drivers can only run during set hours.
• Folly Beach. The City requires building permits for docks, seawalls and repairs.

5. Your HOA, ARB or Dock Master Plan

Some neighborhoods have a Dock Master Plan on file with the state that shows which lots might be eligible for a dock. Being on a master plan doesn't mean you'll get a permit. Plenty of HOAs and ARBs want to approve dock plans before you apply.

Repairs and storm damage

Fixing a dock that's still standing back to its original size takes a repair request with photos and your old permit, not a new permit. A destroyed dock can be rebuilt to its old layout if the work's done within five years. Dock Repair →

How long does it take?

Depends on the lot, the notices and how many agencies are involved. Nobody can promise you a date, and we won't.

Who to call

• SCDES Bureau of Coastal Management: (843) 953-0200
• Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District
• Your town, city or county building office (numbers on each area page)