2008-04 Floating Docks Code AmendmentORDINANCE 2008-04
• AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING DIVISION 4, "DOCKS
AND PIERS," OF ARTICLE III, "CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS," OF
CHAPTER 5, "BOATS, DOCKS AND WATERWAYS," OF THE VILLAGE
CODE OF ORDINANCES BY AMENDING SECTION 5-83, "MINIMUM
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS," AND SECTION 5-85, "REGULATIONS
GOVERNING CONSTRUCTION IN LAKE WORTH AND ATLANTIC
OCEAN," TO ALLOW FLOATING DOCKS IN LAKE WORTH AND THE
ATLANTIC OCEAN; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Village Code of Ordinances currently prohibits the construction of floating
docks in Lake Worth and the Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, due to technological advances in construction durability and an abundance of larger
vessels, floating docks have become the industry standard for use in marinas throughout the State; and
WHEREAS, having considered the recommendations of the Waterways Board, the Village
Council wishes to amend the Code to allow for floating docks within Lake Worth and the
Atlantic Ocean; and
• WHEREAS, the Village Council has determined that the adoption ofthis Ordinance is in the best
interests ofthe health, safety and welfare ofthe Village and its residents.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE
OF NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing recitals are ratified as true and correct and aze incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council hereby amends Chapter 5, "Boats, Docks and Waterways,"
Article III, "Construction Requirements," Division 4, "Docks and Piers ," ofthe Village Code of
Ordinances by amending Sections 5-83 and 5-85 to read as follows (additional language is
underlined and deleted language is strip):
Sec. 5-83. Minimum design requirements.
(a) Coverings. Any sun, wind or weather covering to be wnstructed
over a dock or pier shall require a permit and shall be classified as a canopy and
shall meet the building code as such.
(b) Decking elevation. The main deck of a dock or pier shall be placed
• at a minimum of three and five-tenths (3.5) feet above mean sea level. The steps
from the ground or bulkhead cap shall not exceed seven (7) inches for each step.
Page 1 of 5
(c) Wave break. The bottom wave breaking stringer shall not extend
below mean low water.
• (d) Floating docks. Free-standing piling for floating docks shall be a
minimum schedule 40, six-inch diameter, pea rock concrete filled steel pipe or
six-inch plastic pipe filled with pea rock concrete and two (2) equally spaced
number four reinforcing bazs, suitably tied. Attaching rings shall be steel or chain.
Smaller piling may be allowed when properly structurally designed.
(e) Construction material. Construction material for piers and docks
shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Piling.
a. Minimum bottom penetration is to be six (6) feet.
b. Concrete piling is to be minimum eight-inch by eight-inch
or eight-inch diameter reinforced with four (4) number five
(5) rods with number two (2) hoops eight (8) inches on center.
c. Wood piling is to be minimum ten-inch butt diameter and
the treatment shall conform to AWPB MP1, MP2 or MP4.
Pile cutoff shall be treated in accordance with AWPA M4.
• d. All piling aze to be set a maximum of ten (10) feet on
center for timber deck construction.
(2) Stringers and bracing. Stringers and bracing, if lumber, shall be a
minimum two-inch by eight-inch.
(3) Decking. Decking, if hunber, shall be a minimum two-inch bysix-inch
(4) Fasteners.
a. All bolts, nuts, washers and nails shall be hot dipped
galvanized or zinc plated or equal.
b. Stringers and braces shall be fastened with minimum one-
halfinch bolts.
(5) Dock lumber. All dock lumber shall be pressure treated or equal.
(6) Concrete strength. All concrete shall be a minimum strength of
thirty-five hundred (3,500) psi in twenty-eight (28) days.
(7) Blocks. If dock is to be supported by a bulkhead, four-inch by
four-inch blocks or equal shall be bolted to bulkhead wall; stringer
shall be bolted to four-inch by four-inch blocks.
Page 2 of 5
(f) Structural equivalents permitted. Docks and piers of other design
• and material may be permitted when structurally equivalent to the above.
(g) Commercial docks and piers. All commercial docks and piers are
to be designed by a Florida registered professional engineer.
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(ilk Dolphins and tie poles.
(1) Bottom penetration is to be a minimum of six (6) feet.
(2) Materials and construction are to be the same as dock and pier pilings.
(}~ Commercial marinas. All fixed docks and piers to be constructed
in commercial mazinas shall be concrete or equal.
(1F~ Batter piles.
(1) Batter piles are to be designed by a Fbrida registered professional engineer.
• (2) Batter piles aze to be constructed ofprestressed concrete.
(3) A building permit shall be required prior to construction for all batter piles.
(4) Batter piles shall be installed only under the following conditions:
a. Obstructions prevent use of standard tiebacks and anchors
to reinforce bulkheads.
b. Existing bulkhead has failed or is in danger of failing.
c. Not to be used in the construction of new bulkheads.
(5) Base of batter pile shall extend a maximum of five (5) feet from
the waterside face of the bulkhead.
s * •
Sec. 5-85. Regulations governing construction in Lake Worth and
Atlantic Ocean.
All residential piers, docks or other approved structures to be constructed
waterside of the bulkhead line or land of the village in Lake Worth, or the mean
low-water mark of the Atlantic Ocean, shall meet the following regulations
and requirements:
Page 3 of5
(1) The design of any pier to be constructed under the provisions of
• this division shall be performed by an engineer registered in the
state, and detailed construction drawings shall be submitted
bearing the certification and seal ofsuch engineer.
(2) Prior to a permit being issued by the village, a permit shall be
obtained from such other authority that has a vested interest in the
waterways. Nothing contained in this division shall be construed to
affect the rights or obligations connected with spoil areas located
in Lake Worth within one hundred (100) feet lakewazd of the
bulkhead line referred to above and the granting of a permit by the
village does not release the applicant from personally determining
what, if any, effect such spoil azeas may have upon any
construction done in accordance with this division.
(3) No pier shall extend beyond a line fifty (50) feet waterside from
and pazallel to the bulkhead line of the village.
(4) The centerline of all piers shall be on a uniform alignment.
(5) Piers may be constructed with "L" heads or "T" heads of fifty (50)
feet. A finger pier shall not exceed twenty-two (22) feet in length
and shall be a maximum of six (6) feet and a minimum of three (3)
• feet in width.
(6) No point on any pier shall be closer than twenty (20) feet to either
side property line projected along a line pazallel to the pier center
line or closer than forty (40) feet to any part of another pier.
(7) All piers and docks shall be constructed with all major components
including piling, beams, decks, etc., constructed of reinforced
concrete. Piers shall have a maximum width of ten (10) feet, and a
minimum width of six (6) feet.
(8) Dolphins or mooring posts may be installed adjacent to piers, with
location to be determined by the building department.
(9) In regazd to construction waterside of any lot having fifty (50) feet
or less frontage on the water, docks shall not be placed within five
(5) feet of the side property line extended.
(10) In regard to construction waterside of any lot having greater than
fifty (50) feet frontage on the water, docks shall not be placed
within ten (10) feet ofthe side property line extended.
• (11) Freestanding wave breaks shall not be permitted.
Page 4 of 5
(12) Mooring buoys and anchors shall be designed and located in such a
manner as to not allow the moored vessel to cross the side property
• lines extended. Mooring buoys and anchors shall be located
pazallel to the bulkhead no more than one hundred fifty (150) feet
from the bulkhead. No live-aboazds aze allowed. The upland land
owner shall not moor or anchor more than one (1) boat.
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Section 3. The provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part ofthe Code of
the Village ofNorth Palm Beach, Florida.
Section 4. If any section, pazagraph, sentence, clause, phrase or word of this Ordinance is for
any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, inoperative or void,
such holding shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances and resolutions or parts of resolutions in
conflict herewith aze hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS 10th DAY OF JANUARY, 2008.
• PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING AND PASSED THIS 24th DAY OF JANUARY 2008.
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(Village Sea])
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ATTEST:,~'~
VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
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VILLAGE ATTORNEY
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