Martin County seawall permits.
Repair, replace or build new?

The essentials before you start

• Separate repair from a new structure ↗

  Martin County has different starting points for an existing permitted wall and new shoreline work.

• Prepare the survey and permit records ↗

  Use the seawall checklist to identify missing documents early.

• Check municipal jurisdiction ↗

  A property inside Stuart or another town uses that municipality’s local process.

Two permit paths in unincorporated Martin County

Every SSP has two parts: a pre-application evaluation that ends in a Determination Letter saying whether the shoreline qualifies for a structure, then the permit application. Applications use Accela Citizen Access and are paid by credit card.

Shoreline Stabilization Permitting (SSP) Application Help Document · Dock and/or Boatlift Permit Requirements · Dock Pilings

The county seawall checklist

• Building permit application and owner-builder disclosure if applicable.
• Survey or sealed site plan dated no earlier than October 4, 2002, showing NAVD elevations, drainage, flood zone, setbacks, easements and preserve areas.
• Sealed engineered drawings with a Florida engineer’s raised seal, on sheets no larger than 24 × 36 inches.
• The FDEP permit or exemption; the county bases its approval on it.
• For new seawalls, an environmental waiver from Growth Management.

The Building Department’s permitting line is 772-288-5916. FDEP’s Southeast District is in West Palm Beach at 561-681-6600.

Residential Seawall Checklist · Dock-Boatlift Checklist

Shoreline protection zones

Every waterfront lot on navigable estuarine water in Martin County, canals included, has a shoreline protection zone. For lots that existed before April 1, 1982, it is 25 feet if the lot is one acre or less; larger lots and later lot splits get up to 75 feet from mean high water, and newer subdivisions follow their plat. Construction inside the zone is generally limited to water access: an accessway up to 12 feet wide, or 6 feet where mangroves or wetlands are present.

The county comprehensive plan allows shoreline hardening only as its coastal and conservation chapters permit, and sets a 75-foot zone for new development. Questions go to the Environmental Division at env@martin.fl.us.

Environmental Division FAQs · Shoreline Protection - Requirements for Waterfront Lots of Record, 1 Acre or Less · Comprehensive Plan Chapter 2 - Overall Goals and Definitions

Martin County environmental fees

Building permit fees are separate; from July 1, 2026 they are tiered by construction value.

Environmental Applications and Permits Fee Schedule · Martin County Building Department Fee Schedule, Effective July 1, 2026

City of Stuart

Stuart’s Building Division (121 SW Flagler Ave; 772-288-5326) takes permits and contractor registrations through its OpenGov portal. Since July 1, 2025 the city no longer accepts county certificates of competency; contractors must be state registered or certified. Florida’s 2026 small-project permit exemption does not apply in flood zones or to structural work.

Building Division · New Rules Related to Building Permit Exemptions

Sewall’s Point and Ocean Breeze

Sewall’s Point’s Building Department (772-287-2455) requires a DEP permit, consent or exemption, sealed dock drawings, a current mean-high-water survey, 25-foot riparian setbacks, 50 feet to neighboring docks and a terminal platform no larger than 200 sq ft. Canal docks need letters of no objection or courtesy notice to adjacent owners under Town Code Sec. 62-151(B)(4). The town is in CRS Class 10 (no discount).

The Town of Ocean Breeze takes permit applications by email at permits@townofoceanbreeze.org (772-334-6826).

Dock / Boat Lift Permit Application and Checklist · CRS Eligible Communities, October 1, 2026 Effective Date · Building & Permitting

The St. Lucie Estuary and Lake Okeechobee releases

Lake Okeechobee releases reach the St. Lucie Estuary through the C-44 canal. In March 2024 releases averaging about 1,800 cfs lowered salinity, and FDEP found Microcystis in the C-44 and South Fork. The Corps’ LOSOM operating manual took effect August 12, 2024. SFWMD’s completed C-44 Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area adds 60,500 acre-feet of storage for local basin runoff.

Congressman Mast Demands a Halt to Lake Okeechobee Discharges After Traces of Blue-Green Algae Are Found in the St. Lucie Estuary · LOSOM has finally been activated · Indian River Lagoon-South C-44 Reservoir and STA

Flood ratings and king tides

Unincorporated Martin County is CRS Class 5 (25% discount in high-risk zones). New or substantially improved buildings there must sit at least 1 foot above base flood elevation, and substantial improvement is judged over five years. The county’s 2026 king-tide periods are September 8–15, September 24–October 15, October 22–November 12, November 22–29 and December 22–27.

Flood Zones and Flood Protection · King Tides

Contractor licensing

Martin County’s Licensing Division (772-288-5482, Monday–Friday 7:30–4:00) says only homeowners and licensed contractors can pull permits and that an occupational license is not a contractor license. Use its online licensed contractor search and DBPR’s lookup together.

Contractor Licensing and Verification