Dock, pier and float rules in Morro Bay, California
Possibly, only for a lot on the water and only with several approvals; Morro Bay's code doesn't say whether a private dock is feasible from any given residential lot. The city requires a harbor structure permit for any pier, piling, dock or other structure over tidal waters and a building permit for any floating dock, and docks in the waterfront and harbor districts need a conditional use permit plus a coastal development permit. State (State Lands Commission, Coastal Commission) and federal (Army Corps) approvals are often needed too.
| City harbor structure permit | Required for any pier, piling, mooring or structure over tidal waters [1] |
| Floating dock building permit | Required before construction (plans approved by building department) [2] |
| Engineer/architect plans | Required for floating docks over 400 sq ft or 50 ft long [4] |
| Zoning (CF, H, WF districts) | Conditional use permit for docks, piers, wharves [5] |
| U.S. Army Corps approval | Required for work seaward of mean higher high water [6] |
| Floating dock location | Not in wetlands or wetland buffers in the bay [7] |
| Coastal permit exemption | Docks in appealable areas don't qualify [8] |
City harbor structure permit
Under Title 15, no one may build, maintain, extend or alter any pier, piling, bulkhead, seawall, mooring or other structure in or over the waters of Morro Bay, the ocean or other tidal water in the city without a written city permit [1]. Filling, excavating or dredging needs one too. Apply to the community development director with detailed plans and the fee from the Master Fee Schedule. City Council approval is needed when the structure doesn't comply with the title and no approved bulkhead, pierhead or setback lines exist, or when it would affect a swimming area [3]. Permits can be revoked, and unpermitted structures are a nuisance subject to removal.
Floating dock construction permit
Chapter 14.52 makes it unlawful to start building a floating dock without a building department permit approving the plans [2]. The application needs plans, owner approval for the water and abutting land, and evidence of compliance with state and federal law. Floating docks over 400 sq ft or 50 feet long need plans by a California registered civil engineer or licensed architect [4]. Private floating docks for single-family use under 400 sq ft are exempt from most dimensional standards but must meet flotation and anchorage rules. Railings must be at least 42 inches high.
Zoning and coastal review
In the Commercial Fishing, Harbor and Waterfront districts, wharves, docks, piers, slips and similar water facilities need a conditional use permit [5]. Floating docks can't encroach into wetlands or their buffers in the bay [7]. Docks are development in the coastal zone. In areas appealable to the Coastal Commission, a dock is a significant non-attached structure, so it doesn't qualify for the single-family home exemption [8]. City coastal permit decisions on projects on tidelands and submerged lands can be appealed to the Coastal Commission. Under state law, a dock on state tidelands or submerged lands typically also needs a lease from the State Lands Commission (or from the agency holding a tidelands grant), and the Coastal Commission itself, not the city, issues the coastal permit there. Our sources don't cover those state approvals or show who holds the tidelands in front of a particular lot.
No residential dock rule
The code classifies private floating docks limited to single-family use, but the residential district tables don't list docks, and we found no rule saying a homeowner may build one. Treat a private dock as uncertain until the Harbor Department and Community Development confirm it for your parcel.
Federal approval
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval is required for work seaward of the mean higher high water line [6].
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Next steps
- Contact the Community Development Department (955 Shasta Avenue, 805-772-6267) and the Harbor Department to confirm the district, the water-area ownership or lease, and which permits apply.
- Get written approval from the owner or lessee of the water area and abutting land, and an encroachment permit if the work touches city property.
- Have a California registered civil engineer or licensed architect prepare plans for any floating dock over 400 sq ft or 50 ft long.
- Apply for the harbor structure permit, conditional use permit and coastal development permit, and get U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approval for work below the high water line.
- Ask the State Lands Commission (or the Harbor Department, if the city manages the tidelands) whether the water area needs a lease, and the Coastal Commission whether it issues the coastal permit for your site.
Common questions
- Can I build a private dock in Morro Bay, California?
- Possibly, only for a lot on the water and only with several approvals; the code doesn't say whether a private dock is feasible from any given residential lot. Treat it as uncertain until the Harbor Department and Community Development confirm it for your parcel.
- Do I need a permit for a dock in Morro Bay, California?
- Yes. The city requires a harbor structure permit for any pier, piling, dock or other structure over tidal waters and a building permit for any floating dock. Docks in the waterfront and harbor districts need a conditional use permit plus a coastal development permit, and U.S. Army Corps approval is required below mean higher high water.
- Does a floating dock need engineered plans in Morro Bay, California?
- Yes, if it's over 400 sq ft or 50 feet long; those need plans by a California registered civil engineer or licensed architect. Private single-family floating docks under 400 sq ft are exempt from most dimensional standards but must meet flotation and anchorage rules.
- Do I need state approval for a dock in Morro Bay, California?
- Often. A dock on state tidelands or submerged lands typically also needs a lease from the State Lands Commission or the tidelands grantee, and the Coastal Commission issues the coastal permit there.
California state rules for docks and piers
A private dock or pier often needs several approvals beyond a city building permit.
- State Lands Commission lease: the Commission controls state-owned tidelands and submerged lands and the beds of navigable rivers, lakes and bays (Pub. Res. Code §6301). A private dock or pier on those lands generally needs a lease. The Commission must charge rent for private recreational piers on state lands, based on local fair rental values (§6503.5). In some harbors the Legislature has granted tidelands to a city, county or port district, which manages them instead.
- Coastal development permit: in the coastal zone a dock needs a CDP (§§30106, 30600). On tidelands, submerged lands or public trust lands, the Coastal Commission issues it, even where the city has a certified Local Coastal Program (§30519(b)).
- San Francisco Bay (BCDC): around the Bay you need a permit from the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission to place fill. Under the McAteer-Petris Act, "fill" includes pilings, structures on pilings, and floating docks moored for long periods (Gov. Code §66632). BCDC's jurisdiction covers the Bay and a 100-foot shoreline band (§66610). The Coastal Act's coastal zone does not include BCDC's area.
- Streams and lakes: work that changes the bed, bank or channel of a river, stream or lake requires notifying the Department of Fish and Wildlife (Fish & Game Code §1602).
- Federal: structures in navigable waters generally need a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit.
- Local: many harbors and marinas also require a city or harbor-district permit.
What the ordinance says
- Sec. 15.20.010, Municipal Code Title 15 Harbor and Ocean Regulations (15.16 pier and docking; 15.20 harbor structure permits; 15.28 moorings; 15.32 dockage), p. 1
No person or agency shall build, maintain, extend or make structural alterations on any building, pier, piling, bulkhead, seawall, reef, breakwater, mooring or other structure in, upon or over the waters of Morro Bay or the Pacific Ocean or any other water where the tide ebbs and flows within the city, or do any filling, excavating or dredging in the waters or ocean, without first obtaining written permit to do so from the city in addition to any other requirements provided by law.
- Sec. 14.52.030, Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.52 Marine Docks and Structures, p. 1
It is unlawful for any person to commence, or cause to be commenced, any construction of any floating dock or marina or other similar work governed by this chapter without having first obtained a permit evidencing approval of the city building department of all construction plans, specifications and schematic and working drawings pursuant to which such structure is to be constructed, all as provided in this chapter.
- Sec. 15.20.020(D), Municipal Code Title 15 Harbor and Ocean Regulations (15.16 pier and docking; 15.20 harbor structure permits; 15.28 moorings; 15.32 dockage), p. 1
Prior approval of the city council shall be required when the structure for which a permit is sought does not comply with this title and when:
- Sec. 14.52.040(F), Municipal Code Title 14 Ch. 14.52 Marine Docks and Structures, p. 1
Where the applicant seeks a permit for construction of a floating marina or any floating dock in excess of four hundred square feet in area or fifty feet in length measured perpendicular to the shoreline, evidence that a California Registered Civil Engineer or Licensed Architect has prepared the plans and specifications for the construction thereof;
- Table 17.11.030, Municipal Code Title 17 Division II District Regulations (Ch. 17.07 residential districts; 17.11 waterfront and harbor area districts; 17.14 Coastal Resource Protection overlay), p. 1
Support use, structures, connections, and appurtenances to water uses including wharves, docks, piers, slips, quays, launches, fuel docks, hoists, and other facilities necessary or convenient for the promotion and accommodation of commerce and navigation C C C
- Sec. 15.20.020(F), Municipal Code Title 15 Harbor and Ocean Regulations (15.16 pier and docking; 15.20 harbor structure permits; 15.28 moorings; 15.32 dockage), p. 1
Prior approval of the U.S. Corps of Engineers will be required when: 1. Work extends to areas seaward or lower than the mean high higher water line;
- Sec. 17.11.050(C)(5), Municipal Code Title 17 Division II District Regulations (Ch. 17.07 residential districts; 17.11 waterfront and harbor area districts; 17.14 Coastal Resource Protection overlay), p. 1
The placement of floating docks shall be in water areas that do not encroach into wetland or buffer areas surrounding defined wetlands in the bay.
- Sec. 17.39.020(A)(3)(e), Municipal Code Title 17 Ch. 17.39 Coastal Development Permits (IP), p. 1
Development that includes any significant non-attached structure such as garages, fences, shoreline protective works or docks.