Shoreline Stabilization and Water Access Structures
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The City of Lakeland has specific requirements that apply to the construction or alteration of any shoreline stabilization structure (e.g. seawalls, rip-rap, biotechnical erosion control) or water access structure (e.g. docks, boat lifts, boat houses, piers, etc.) located within wetlands or surface waters within the city. The intent of this webpage is to offer guidance in the application process for such structures.
The Lakes & Stormwater Division reviews permits for shoreline stabilization and water access structures. For any questions or further guidance please call the Lakes & Stormwater Division at (863)834-3300.
Completed applications are to be submitted to the City of Lakeland's Permitting Center, located on the first floor of City Hall. For a blank application click here and your internet browser will open up Community Development's webpage of downloadable forms. Select the Building Permit Application. |
Permitting Requirements
If you are considering putting in some sort of shoreline stabilization structure or water access structure within City limits, you will need a permit from the City of Lakeland. Article 34, in the Citys Land Development Regulations, discusses the specific permit requirements for shoreline stabilization and water access structures.
Your project may also require a permit from other state and/or Federal agencies. For example, projects that are proposed in a SWFWMD-permitted pond will most likely require a SWFWMD-approved permit modification. The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) can be contacted at their Bartow, Florida office at (863) 534-1448. |
Shoreline Stabilization Methods:
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Biotechnical Erosion Control
A biotechnical erosion control method is defined as a primarily non-structural method of shoreline stabilization which uses native vegetation to stabilize the shoreline substrate. From the Lakes & Stormwater Division's standpoint, this is the most preferable method as it typically causes the least amount of functional and aesthetic impacts to the natural shoreline.
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A rip-rap seawall on Lake John |
Rip-rap
Rip-rap may be necessary in areas where the shoreline is more exposed to wind and wave action and where native vegetation will not alleviate erosion. A geotextile material is used in combination and placed under the rip-rap material. Only clean broken concrete or Florida field stone should be used as rip-rap material.
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Vertical Seawalls
Vertical seawall will only be permitted as a last resort, where the applicant shows that neither biotechnical erosion control methods nor rip-rap type revetments will alleviate a significant threat to life or property. From the Lakes & Stormwater Division's standpoint, vertical seawalls cause the greatest amount of functional and aesthetic impacts to the natural shoreline. Why? Seawalls constructed with an inflexible vertical surface protect shorelines by reflecting wave energy, rather than absorbing it like riprap or vegetation. As a result such a seawall can worsen wave action on a lake and increase erosion in from of and to the sides of the seawall.
Wave reflection from inflexible seawalls can increase turbidity by stirring the lake bed. Unique and sensitive water plant species, including rushes and other plants necessary for maintaining the fish community, may disappear due to lower water clarity, increased wave action, and scouring of the lake bed.
Near vertical seawalls can permanently degrade shoreline habitat by replacing the naturally sloping shore zone with a vertical face that cannot be used by plants or animals and eliminates gradual and diverse changes in water depth near shore. Near vertical faces can block access to and from the water for turtles, frogs, and other species that must periodically use underwater areas to feed or reproduce.
Inflexible seawall materials can cost substantially more to install than some other erosion control techniques and may reduce or eliminate vital aquatic habitat. These types of seawalls can require regular maintenance to repair damage from direct wave impact, undercutting by currents or waves, and seepage from the landward side. Due to these constant stresses, seawall strength decreases over time. Common causes of failure include inadequate toe protection, subsidence of backfill soil, build-up of pressure behind the seawall from inadequate drainage or weak anchoring, and direct wave impact exceeding the design specifications of the seawall.
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