Seawall Construction in Charleston, SC

Seawall or bulkhead?

• Bulkhead. Holds back the dirt along a creek or marsh edge. It isn't built to take ocean waves.
• Seawall. Built to stand up to waves.

Marsh and creek bulkheads

• They need a state critical area permit, same as a dock.
• They go in tight to the existing bank, no more than 18 inches out from it.
• The state won't allow one where the marsh is already holding the bank on its own.
• HOAs, Wild Dunes on Isle of Palms for one, often want to see plans too.

Ocean-side walls on Isle of Palms and Folly Beach

Under the state's Beachfront Management Act, no new seawalls or erosion control structures are allowed seaward of the setback line on the ocean beach. Existing ones can't be enlarged, strengthened or rebuilt. So on Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, we only work the marsh and creek side.

Bulkhead repair

A bulkhead that's leaning, losing fill or getting undercut can often go back to its original size. It still goes through SCDES. If the wall was permitted and it's still generally intact, there's a general permit for rebuilding it. Have your old permit and some photos ready. Dock Repair →