Aerial view of Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal Waterway toward Port Everglades

Boating Access Guide

Bridges, depth and seawalls decide what your boat can do, and what the house is worth.

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  • 55 ft

    17th Street Causeway bridge, closed

  • 4 ft

    New River rail bridge, closed

  • 25 ft

    Maximum dock reach into a waterway

  • 5 ft

    Seawall height required by 2050

Fort Lauderdale marina and bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway, with the beach towers beyond

Bridges

A fixed bridge caps your boat’s height. A drawbridge only costs time.

  • 17th Street Causeway: 55 ft closed
  • New River rail bridge: 4 ft closed
  • Schedules: 33 CFR 117
Boats docked along the seawalls of a Fort Lauderdale canal

Dockage & Depth

Frontage on the plat is not berth length.

  • Dock reach: 25 ft or 25% of the waterway
  • 60-ft canal: 15-ft dock
  • Depth at mean low water
Seawall and private dock with a yacht in front of a Fort Lauderdale waterfront lot

Seawalls

A failing wall is priced at replacement cost.

  • 4 ft NAVD88 minimum before 2035
  • 5 ft by 2050
  • 50% repair triggers full compliance

Before You Buy

  • Boat specs in writing
  • Route map with every bridge
  • Survey with seawall cap height
  • Elevation certificate and flood zone
  • Depth soundings at low water
  • Marine contractor inspection
  • Seawall, dock and lift permits
  • Wind and flood insurance quotes

Sources

By Nicholas Napoli, Esq. Figures reviewed . Codes and bridge operations change; verify before relying on them.

Downtown Fort Lauderdale skyline at sunset

Let’s Talk.

Send your boat’s length, beam, draft and air draft.