If you currently live in Florida or have even been a visitor to the state, you will likely be aware that many people enjoy taking a boat out onto the water. Once your day on the water is complete, the question then becomes where will you dock your boat? 

For some it will be at a local marina where a slip has been rented for this purpose. For others, though, the existence of a dock on their property means that they can bring their boat right to their own properties. Clearly, the more convenient option is having a house with a boat dock in Florida. 

At Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Florida Waterfront, our team of realtors has extensive experience helping home buyers like you in finding the perfect house with a boat dock in Florida. We are happy to give you all of the information and resources you need to find the perfect property for you and your family that meets all of your needs and expectations. This includes our realtor guide to searching for, investing in, and owning a house with a boat dock in Florida. 

What Does It Mean to Have a House with a Boat Dock in Florida?

First and foremost, what exactly does it mean to have a house with a boat dock in Florida? Having a boat dock on your property means that you will be able to access your boat and take it out on the water any time you and your family desire. As long as your property is zoned for a boat dock or slip, you can keep your vessel on your property and within reach. 

When you have this type of property, the convenience of being able to access your boat is more than worth the effort of maintaining the dock or slip and making sure that it meets all of the legal requirements and zoning regulations related to the construction and upkeep of this structure. A house with a boat dock in Florida makes it so much easier to maintain your specific lifestyle that focuses on life out on the water. 

Benefits of Owning a House with a Boat Dock in Florida

There are many exclusive benefits to owning a house with a boat dock in Florida that other property owners in the area will not be able to enjoy. Some of the best advantages include:

• Having constant access to your boat whenever you choose to take it out on the water
• Being able to store your boat at your home which saves money and time since there is no need to rent a slip at the local marina
  • Not having to worry about availability for a temporary slip at a marina
• Having the ability to construct any type and size of dock or slip you desire
• Adding value to your already valuable property
• Getting peace of mind knowing that you control your security
• Having a multi-use structure on your property

With all of these great benefits, it makes sense that Florida waterfront property owners would want to also build a dock or slip on that property. It has many advantages that you would not otherwise get with any other kind of property. 

What Types of Boat Docks and Slips Are Available in Florida?

As you may have guessed, there are a wide variety of boat dock types that are available in the Florida area. Choosing the right type for you and your boat will depend on individual factors that you can discuss with your contractor. Some of the options available include:

Fixed docks

Docks which are stationary and remain in place are known as fixed docks. They are connected to the bottom of the water by pilings made of steel or wood. They are great for waters which are choppy or have frequent waves, and they are built to last for many years.

Floating docks

These are docks that sit on the surface of the water and are made of sections attached to flotation devices which have been anchored in place. They are able to adapt to the change in water level without the owner needing to make major adjustments. However, they can feel a bit unstable when walking on them.

Standing sectional docks

These have sections that are connected to one another and the shore. They are mounted on legs in the water and can easily come apart for simple installation and removal for winter. Standing docks are ideal for bodies of water with firm and stable bottoms or areas with rougher waters. They can be a bit difficult to install for one person.

Standing wheel-in docks

These are similar to standing sectional docks, except they have wheels on the bottom. They can be rolled into and out of the water and are great for seasonal use. The primary advantage is that they can be rolled in or out of the water for installation or removal for the change of seasons. However, shorelines that are rocky, steep, or compact, these docks may be problematic.

Slips at the local marina

If you do not want to bother with maintenance and upkeep of your own dock, renting a slip at the local marina can be an easy, hassle-free docking location for your boat.

Each of these options has its advantages and disadvantages, so it is best to learn all you can about each one and which would be best for your specific property location.

Are There Regulations and Permits Required for a Boat Dock?

In Florida, there are 3 types of permits that you may need to get in order to build your boat dock. These include exemptions, general permits, and individual permits. Exemption permits are for construction of a dock in line with FL Statute. General permits are for those projects with minimal environmental impact, and individual permits cover everything else that doesn’t fall into the other two categories. 

In addition to those permits mentioned above, you will also need to have the approval from the Department of Environmental Protection to build a floating dock which defines all the activities that will take place on, in, or over water surfaces.

Be sure to consult with an expert for your specific waterfront property to make sure that you have the correct permits and are falling in line with the regulations put in place by the state of Florida. Our team is happy to lend you our expertise in the matter as well.

Tips for Maintenance and Upkeep of Boat Docks and Slips

As with everything related to your house and property, owning a house with a boat dock in Florida means that you will need to keep up with the maintenance and any repairs. If you do not, your boat may not be in the safest location and it can even bring down your overall property values.

Here are some tips for maintaining the beauty and integrity of your boat dock:

• Keep the wood protected from rotting, especially since it will be constantly exposed to moisture. One of the best ways to protect it is through sealing the wood and checking to see if it needs to be resealed. 
• Clean the wood regularly. Keep it free of debris, mildew, mud, soil, and dirt.
• Repair anything that has broken as soon as possible to prevent it from getting worse or degrading the quality of the dock.
• Understand how the marine environment affects your boat dock and adjust your maintenance routines accordingly.
• Be sure your dock is not degraded by microorganisms through proper care.

With these useful maintenance tips, you can ensure that your boat dock will be in tip-top shape throughout the entire year.

Do Boat Docks Need to be Covered by Insurance Policies?

For many types of permanent structures such as fixed docks, your homeowners insurance policy will cover your dock from a covered peril. Certain hazards, though, are almost always excluded from the policy such as the freezing, thawing, and weight of water or ice, damage caused by a collapse (except in the instance of a falling building), and flood damage. 

If you have a dock that is not a permanent structure such as standing sectional docks, this will likely be covered under personal property coverage rather than homeowners insurance. Your insurance company will certainly make a distinction here, so you should be aware of what that distinction is and how it can affect your coverage.

Our Real Estate Team Can Help You Find the Ideal Waterfront House with a Boat Dock in Florida

If you are hoping to buy a home in Florida on the waterfront, you may want to consider one that has a boat dock or look into the ability for you to build one on your own. Our team at Your Home Sold Guaranteed Realty - Florida Waterfront is happy to provide you with all of the information and resources you need to make well-informed decisions about your investments. This includes a guide to owning a house with a boat dock in Florida. 

We are happy to discuss all aspects of the ownership of these types of properties as well as the particulars of building and maintaining a boat dock or slip on your property. If you have any questions or would like to talk to any of our experienced realtors in detail about owning a house with a boat dock in Florida, give us a call at 407-307-2617 or fill out the form below with the requested information and one of our skilled realtors will send you a detailed response. 

Our team looks forward to hearing from you and helping you to achieve your Florida waterfront property buying goals!