When contemplating the construction of a seawall or any improvement near wetlands or water, several permitting agencies may need to be contacted. Any legitimate contractor will direct an owner to obtain permits before starting any project that may impact a wetland. It is the owner's responsibility to assure that a permit is obtained either by themselves or by the licensed contractor. Starting work without first applying for a permit is unlawful and punishable by a fine of $250. The permit must be posted on the jobsite so it can be seen from the street. Some of the agencies that may require notification are as follows:
State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection
There
will be a regional office to contact in your area. Below is the link to
the permitting page of the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection site.
To find the permits that are
required for a county, contact the building official for that county. Below
is a link to a list of county building departments in Florida.
Municipality or city permits may be required. In some cases, there may be federal agencies that require submittal of an application for approval. These agencies may include United States Fish and Wildlife and United States Army Corp of Engineers.
