Do You Need a Permit to Build a Dock
in South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach Elite Dock Builders has been building and repairing docks across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand for over 20 years! Yes. In South Carolina, building a dock, bulkhead, floating dock, or any structure in or over tidal and navigable waters requires permits before a single piling goes in the ground. This surprises some waterfront property owners who assume that because the dock is on their property, the permitting process is straightforward or minimal. It is neither. South Carolina's coastal permitting framework involves multiple agencies, varying timelines depending on project scope, and real consequences for building without authorization — including mandatory removal at the property owner's expense.
Why Choose Us
High Quality Materials
We source materials built to last — not the cheapest option on the shelf. Every product we use is chosen for durability, performance, and long-term value so your project holds up for years.
Professional Workers
Every person on our crew is trained, experienced, and takes their work seriously. No day laborers, no shortcuts — just skilled tradespeople who treat your property with respect.
Experts In Engineering
We don't just swing hammers — we understand how things are built. Our team brings real technical knowledge to every project, so the work is done right the first time, not fixed later.
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Which Agency Issues the Permit
The primary permitting authority for dock construction in South Carolina's tidal and coastal waters is SCDHEC-OCRM — the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control's Office of Coastal Resource Management. OCRM has jurisdiction over all navigable tidal waters, coastal wetlands, and the critical area defined under the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act.
For most residential dock projects along the Grand Strand — tidal creek docks in Murrells Inlet, canal-frontage builds in Garden City Beach, ICW-adjacent docks near Grande Dunes — OCRM is the primary permitting body. Applications require site plans, aerial photography, property surveys, and project descriptions detailing structure dimensions, materials, and construction methods.
When the Army Corps of
Engineers Gets Involved
Larger projects, structures in federally designated navigable waters, or builds that involve significant fill or dredging also require authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Many residential dock projects on the Grand Strand qualify for a Nationwide Permit — a streamlined Corps authorization that covers common project types — rather than requiring a full individual permit. We determine which Corps pathway applies during the site assessment and handle the coordination.
Marsh Walkways and Wetland Structures
Marsh walkways are a distinct permitting category from standard dock construction. Structures built through or over coastal marshlands require OCRM review for impacts to the marsh ecology, elevated framing to comply with marsh protection standards, and in some cases, a Coastal Zone Consistency determination. Georgetown County's tidal creek systems — including those feeding Litchfield Beach and Pawleys Island waterfront properties — include significant marsh frontage where these additional requirements apply. Building a marsh walkway without understanding these requirements is one of the faster ways to end up with a stop-work order on a Grand Strand waterfront project.
We Handle the Permits
Myrtle Beach Elite Dock Builders manages the full SCDHEC-OCRM permitting process for every project we build — residential dock builds, floating docks, marsh walkways, dune walkovers, vinyl bulkheads, and covered boat slip additions across Horry and Georgetown counties. Permitting is part of how we work, not an add-on service. If you're planning a waterfront project in Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, Surfside Beach, Georgetown, Litchfield Beach, or anywhere along the Grand Strand, give us a call.
Myrtle Beach Elite Dock Builders delivers custom dock building, marine construction, and waterfront installation services for residential and commercial properties
throughout the Grand Strand.