Rio waterfront planning
Seawalls and bulkheads in Rio on the St. Lucie River: hardened riverfront, Rio Marine Village’s living shoreline, county permits and Lake O releases.
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Get to know your waterfront
Rio is a small unincorporated Martin County community of about 980 residents on the St. Lucie River, near Krueger Creek. The Rio Marine Village plan approved in 2025 covers almost 3,000 linear feet of river frontage, mostly hardened with existing boat basins, with a 25-foot shoreline protection zone.
TIGERweb Census 2020 Census Designated Places layer (POP100, HU100 fields) · Martin County moves forward with major Rio Marine Village project (Justin Breckenridge, Nov. 6, 2025)
Working waterfront and redevelopment
Rio Marine Village plans a new living shoreline with mangroves, riprap, native grasses and oyster bags in a half-moon beach section. Brackish river water, surge and Lake Okeechobee discharges (freshwater pulses, sediment and algae) affect residential walls nearby.
In March 2024, releases averaging about 1,800 cfs lowered estuary salinity and FDEP found Microcystis in the C-44 and South Fork. Martin County moves forward with major Rio Marine Village project (Justin Breckenridge, Nov. 6, 2025) · Congressman Mast Demands a Halt to Lake Okeechobee Discharges After Traces of Blue-Green Algae Are Found in the St. Lucie Estuary
What could the work cost?
Single-lot owners replacing a permitted wall go through the county Building Department with a DEP permit or exemption.
Published examples are attributed context from Treasure Coast and nearby South Florida sources, not a Port St. Lucie average or a quote. Your wall needs a property-specific written scope.
Compare quotes and plan a budget →Find the relevant permits and records
| Starting point | What to resolve | Prepare and look up |
|---|---|---|
Martin County Building Department | Repair or replacement of a previously permitted seawall; docks, lifts and pilings. | Survey dated after Oct. 4, 2002 with NAVD elevations, sealed drawings, DEP permit or exemption. 772-288-5916. |
Martin County Growth Management | Shoreline Stabilization Permit for a new seawall, riprap, retaining wall or living shoreline. | Part 1 determination letter, then the permit; new seawall SSP $1,840 plus $390 review. env@martin.fl.us. |
FDEP Southeast District | Permit or exemption the county bases its approval on. | 3301 Gun Club Rd, West Palm Beach. 561-681-6600. |
A Rio checklist
Use these steps to gather records and prepare a property-specific conversation. Public records and project references do not describe the condition of your wall.
Pull the permit history
Search the address on the city or county permit portal for seawall, dock and lift permits and their final inspections before the first site visit.
Confirm the permit path
Replacing a permitted wall goes to Building; new hardening needs an SSP.
Shoreline Stabilization Permitting (SSP) Application Help Document
Check the shoreline protection zone
Construction in the zone is limited to water access.
Shoreline Protection - Requirements for Waterfront Lots of Record, 1 Acre or Less
Watch discharge conditions
Schedule in-water work with salinity and algae advisories in mind.
Get help with your Rio seawall
Tell us what has changed and how to reach you. We’ll help you work out the next step; photos and measurements can follow later.
Rio project questions
Who permits Rio seawalls?
Martin County (Building Department for repairs; Growth Management for new structures).
Shoreline Stabilization Permitting (SSP) Application Help Document
What is the Lake O schedule now?
The Corps’ LOSOM manual took effect August 12, 2024.
Keep planning
Nearby waterfront guides
Show sourcesHide sources
- TIGERweb Census 2020 Census Designated Places layer (POP100, HU100 fields)Source reviewed 2026-10-25
- Martin County moves forward with major Rio Marine Village project (Justin Breckenridge, Nov. 6, 2025)Source reviewed 2026-10-25
- Congressman Mast Demands a Halt to Lake Okeechobee Discharges After Traces of Blue-Green Algae Are Found in the St. Lucie EstuarySource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Residential Seawall ChecklistSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Shoreline Stabilization Permitting (SSP) Application Help DocumentSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Environmental Applications and Permits Fee ScheduleSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Dock-Boatlift ChecklistSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- Shoreline Protection - Requirements for Waterfront Lots of Record, 1 Acre or LessSource reviewed 2026-10-25
- LOSOM has finally been activatedSource reviewed 2026-10-25