DERM · City · USACE · FDEP
If you need marine permit assistance in Miami for a seawall, dock, or bulkhead project, we handle the engineering, drawings, environmental documentation, and agency submittals end-to-end.
Miami marine permits typically involve multiple agencies. We package the submittals so you do not have to chase reviewers, respond to comments, or learn the differences between the agencies' priorities.
The Department of Environmental Resources Management has primary jurisdiction over marine work in Miami-Dade. Permits typically address seawall design, environmental impact, mangrove and seagrass considerations, and turbidity controls during construction.
Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, and other cities each have their own building permit process for structural work on seawalls, bulkheads, and docks. Miami Beach's July 2025 ordinance amendment added the 5.7 ft NAVD elevation requirement to their review.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulates work in navigable waters. Nationwide Permit 13 covers many bank stabilization projects; individual permits are required for larger or more complex work.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection regulates work in state waters and environmentally sensitive areas. Coordination with FWC for manatee and sea turtle protection where applicable.
All work submitted with FL PE seal. Drawings, structural calculations, environmental narrative, dredge/fill quantities, turbidity plan, manatee protection plan where required.
Time-to-permit is one of the biggest project schedule risks. Starting early matters, especially for Miami Beach owners working against the 730-day ordinance compliance window.
Why Miami Owners Choose Us
Our internal target is to clear DERM and city review without comments on first submittal. We hit it about 70 percent of the time. The other 30 percent involve agency clarification rounds, but rarely full re-submittals.
~70% first-submittal approval rateEvery submittal carries Florida PE seal. Reviewers know our engineer, and our package format is calibrated to what each agency wants to see.
Same FL PE on every projectWhen comments come back, we respond same week. Reviewers move on without us, but we do not let them move on far without us.
Same-week comment response standardPermit and engineering fees are typically bundled into the project cost as a line item. For a routine Miami residential seawall repair, engineering and permitting together run 3,500 to 8,500 dollars. For replacement or 5.7 ft NAVD elevation projects, 6,500 to 18,000 dollars. Commercial projects scale with complexity.
Miami-Dade DERM, the various city building departments, USACE, and FDEP each have their own priorities. DERM cares about environmental impact and proper construction methods. The city cares about structural code (FBC HVHZ wind, ACI saltwater spec). USACE cares about navigable waters and federal regulations. FDEP cares about state waters and environmental sensitivity. A clean permit package addresses all four sets of priorities up front rather than waiting for the comments to come.
"Our wall was leaning visibly toward the water after a tropical storm churned the bay. They measured 3.5 inches off plumb, installed five helical anchors and brought it back to within an inch of straight. Crew was professional and kept the yard clean."Sandra L.Key Biscayne · Helical pile anchoring
"Got the city notification on the ordinance and was facing the 730-day clock. Their team handled the engineering, the DERM submittal, and the build. Cap-on-cap pour came in at 5.85 ft NAVD, future-proof for the next code bump. Cleared first review with no comments."David T.Miami Beach · 5.7 ft NAVD elevation
"Spalling on our cap had been getting worse for years and another contractor wanted to replace the whole wall. These guys did the inspection, said the cap was repairable, and quoted half the price. Patched, sealed, looks like new. Five-year warranty in writing."Maria G.Coral Gables · Seawall cap repair
Most structural seawall work in Miami-Dade requires permitting through DERM and the relevant city building department. Maintenance-level work (sealing, polyurethane void fill that does not alter wall geometry, surface treatment) sometimes does not require a building permit but DERM notification is still standard practice. We make the determination during inspection.
Routine residential repair permits take 60 to 120 days. Replacement permits take 90 to 180 days. Miami Beach 5.7 ft NAVD ordinance compliance projects run similar to replacement timing. USACE individual permits add 90 to 180 days when required.
FL PE-sealed engineering, agency-calibrated submittals, comment response same week.
Schedule Free Consultationor call (555) 000-0000