Permit Services: Normal Maintenance and Repair

Changes concerning the normal repair and maintenance of your existing dock contain some of the most significant of the proposed code updates. Under the existing code, we are able to obtain a simple Shoreline Exemption Permit to repair and maintain an existing dock, with no change in configuration. The proposed code requires a reduction in the size of the dock for some repairs.  

The proposed code change also states that if more than 50% of the dock requires repair, the project goes from a normal Shoreline Exemption to a "Pier Replacement." This means that when 50% or more of a pier is replaced within a five year period, it is considered to be a replacement and the regulations for replaced piers apply.

Thus, if your entire dock requires normal repair, then it is considered a "replacement." Completing the repair may limit the size of your existing dock to 80% of the current size or the current size determined by the federal permits, whichever is greater at the time. See Existing Dock Reconfiguration and Replacement

In addition, the project would require mitigation along the shoreline and the agencies are considering additional language that explicitly states the need to achieve no net loss of ecological function for proposed projects. The "no net loss" would be subject to interpretation by the permitting agencies. In addition, this normal maintenance would require a different permit process.