How Big of a Boat Can I Have?
If you’re in the market for a new home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there are a few things you should consider before making a purchase. Among them are dock setbacks and bridge height clearance. These may seem like small details, but they can have a big impact on the enjoyment of your new home and its future value.
Dock Setbacks
Dock setbacks refer to the distance between your property line and your dock. In Fort Lauderdale, the setback can differ from 5ft-10ft, 10ft being most common depending on the neighborhood. Example: If you own an 80ft boat, you may need at minimum 100ft of water frontage. This is important for several reasons. First, it helps to protect the environment by keeping docks and boats away from sensitive marine habitats. Second, it provides a buffer zone for neighboring properties, which can help to prevent conflicts between neighbors.
30% Law
The 30% width law refers to regulations that limit the distance your dock and boat can extend into a canal or waterway. In Fort Lauderdale, the rule is that your boat or yacht cannot take up more than 30% of the canal’s width. This allows for 30% on your side of the canal, 30% for your neighbor across the canal, and 40% in the center for access in and out of the canal. For instance, if the canal’s width is 100ft, then your dock and boat can only extend 30ft into the canal. Wider canals in Fort Lauderdale are more valuable because they allow for larger boats and yachts to be accommodated.
When buying a house, it’s important to make sure that the property you’re interested in meets the city’s dock setback requirements. If it doesn’t, you may have difficulty obtaining the necessary permits to build a dock or make modifications to an existing one. This can be a major headache and may even impact the value of your property in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, dock setbacks may seem like small details, but they can have a big impact on your enjoyment of your new home. If you want more details or have any questions about what neighborhood could be best for you, give me a call. I’d be happy to hear from you.
Jesse Iacobone / Licensed REALTOR® / Better Homes & Gardens Realty / (954) 955-4067
For more Fort Lauderdale rules and regulations visit fortlauderdale.gov
For canal widths and depths visit dockyourmegayacht.com
