Permits and Regulations
Living the dock life is a dream come true, but hiring the wrong contractor can quickly turn it into a nightmare. Trust the experts at Texas Dock Masters to make sure that your dock is fully compliant with the Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes set by the Lower Colorado River Authority for dock flotation, lighting, access, anchoring, and maximum distances from shore so you can focus on the things that matter.
Do I Need A Permit?
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) does not require a permit, registration, or fees for residential docks of 1,500 square feet or less on lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls, and Travis. But the LCRA does require all boat docks on the Highland Lakes to be built and maintained to standards set out in the Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes.
To get the most up to date guidelines please follow this link to the LCRA page.
For Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, or Lake Walter E. Long, The City of Austin requires an approved site plan permit for new construction of residential boat docks and any changes to a structure including:
- Replacing parts of a structure, including load-bearing beams, walls, piers, or pilings
- Replacing parts of a structure, including load-bearing beams, walls, piers, or pilings
- Adding new walls
- Any demolition of the existing structure
- Adding or expanding the existing footprint of the dock or shoreline access
- Placing anything underwater elevation
Our TVA Permit Procedure
- Call Us: Texas Dock Masters will discuss your project and determine whether a new 26A permit is necessary. Most shoreline construction or alterations on TVA reservoirs require TVA approval. Even small changes to your dock might require a new permit.
- TVA 26A Application: If a new permit is needed, we will gather the required information from you to complete the application, then have you sign the form. We’ll also prepare the necessary drawings to submit with the application.
- Submit Application: Once the 26A application is complete, we will collect the application fee (typically $500) and submit the form to TVA.
- Site Visit: TVA will schedule a site visit to the proposed dock location after the application is submitted.
- Waiting: TVA aims to issue permits within 100-120 days after a complete 26A permit is submitted. However, depending on the volume of applications and the specific lake, you may experience a 5-7 month wait. Delays can also occur if your application is incomplete, if changes are made to your plans after submission, or if TVA requests additional information.
- Materials Ordered: Approval. Once TVA completes their review, they will issue your permit.
- Construction Starts: After TVA issues your shoreline permit, construction must begin within 18 months, or the permit will expire.
Wherever you are wanting to build your dream dock, the process can seem overwhelming, and even minor mistakes can delay your project. With the knowledgeable team at Texas Dock Masters on your side, you can rest assured that all the necessary permits and regulations will be taken care of correctly the first time, and you will never have to navigate this on your own.
For additional information please give us a call or check out the LCRA website: https://www.lcra.org/water/permits-contracts/
Customer Experience. Quality. Efficiency
Give us a call today to get started on your next project!
