Dock, Seawall, Dredge/Fill and Water-Dependent Approval Routing — Hillsborough County

Steps

1. 1

   Confirm parcel jurisdiction, waterfront ownership, and project scope

   Resolve whether the upland parcel is in unincorporated Hillsborough, Tampa, Plant City, or Temple Terrace; identify the affected waterbody, wetlands, submerged-land ownership, easements, navigation and access conditions; and distinguish repair, replacement, new work, dredging, filling, shoreline stabilization, dock, lift, seawall, marina, or other scope.

   maps.hillsboroughcounty.org/MapHillsborough/MapHillsborough.
2. 2

   Ask the local building and zoning authority what it requires

   Use the responsible County or city authority for upland zoning, setbacks, structural, electrical, right-of-way, floodplain, historic, utility, site, and building approvals. A mailing city or state/federal authorization does not determine local jurisdiction or replace local permits.

   hcfl.gov/businesses/hillsgovhub
3. 3

   Obtain an EPC wetlands determination

   Consult the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County for the current wetlands permit, authorization, or exemption path. Provide the project location and plans so EPC can determine jurisdiction and the appropriate review; this workflow does not assume every activity is permitted or exempt.

   epchc.org/divisions/wetlands/permits-exemptions
4. 4

   Determine Florida DEP ERP and submerged-lands authorization

   Confirm whether the work needs an Environmental Resource Permit, qualifies for a current exemption or general authorization, and requires separate authorization for state-owned submerged lands. Use DEP's current project-specific path rather than borrowing a Pinellas County permit or exemption.

   floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources
5. 5

   Confirm federal Department of the Army authorization

   Ask the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District whether the proposed work affects federal jurisdiction and whether it is covered by a current general authorization or needs another Department of the Army permit. Do not assume a Pinellas-specific or statewide general permit covers a Hillsborough project without confirmation.

   saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/
6. 6

   Resolve other location- and resource-specific reviews

   Confirm mangrove, protected-species, water-quality, navigation, port, public-land, coastal, floodplain, utility, archaeological, access, and neighboring-property requirements when applicable. An exemption or approval from one authority is not evidence that another authority has approved the work.

   epchc.org/
7. 7

   Submit coordinated plans and pay authority-specific fees

   Use a consistent site survey and signed/sealed plans where required, while submitting each authority's current forms, ownership/authorization evidence, resource information, contractor/design credentials, and calculated fees. Sequence or concurrency must be confirmed with the reviewing authorities.

   floridadep.gov/water/submerged-lands-environmental-resources
8. 8

   Wait for every required issuance and complete inspections

   Do not begin regulated work until all required local, EPC, state, submerged-lands, federal, and companion approvals are effective. Follow permit conditions, schedule assigned inspections, and complete closeout with each issuing authority.

   tampa.gov/construction-services

Fees