Oceanfront seawalls and armoring.
Different water, different rules.

The Coastal Construction Control Line

Florida DEP’s Coastal Construction Control Line program regulates structures and activities that can cause beach erosion, destabilize dunes, damage neighboring properties or interfere with public beach access. Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties each have an adopted control line. The program can be reached at 850-245-8570.

The state’s seawall-restoration exemption from environmental resource permitting does not cover these beach and coastal permits.

Coastal Construction Control Line Program · Chapter 62B-26, F.A.C. – Coastal Construction Control Lines · s. 403.813(1)(e), F.S. (2026)

Who can build permanent armoring

Under DEP’s coastal armoring rule, amended July 7, 2026, new armoring is allowed only to protect an “eligible” structure that a dune erosion model shows is “vulnerable,” or to close a gap of 250 feet or less in otherwise continuous armoring that it adjoins at both ends. Armoring must have a 30-year design life and withstand at least a 15-year return storm.

Rule 62B-33.0051, F.A.C. – Coastal Armoring and Related Structures · s. 161.085, F.S. – Rigid coastal armoring structures (2026)

After a storm: temporary armoring timelines

• A local government may install or authorize temporary rigid armoring when storm erosion threatens structures, and must notify DEP.
• Protection must be in place within 30 days of the erosion event when no DEP emergency order applies.
• Temporary measures can include sandbags, upland sand berms, wooden retaining walls or cantilever sheet pile without caps or tiebacks. Construction debris may not be used.
• Temporary structures must be removed within 60 days unless a permanent armoring application is filed with DEP.

St. Johns County runs a formal Emergency Temporary Coastal Armoring Permit with these timelines and may extend them up to 30 days. To keep armoring permanently, the home must be both eligible and vulnerable under DEP rules.

s. 161.085(3)-(6), F.S. (2026) · Rule 62B-33.0051(5), F.A.C. – Emergency Protection · Emergency Temporary Coastal Armoring Permit

Recent storms on the Northeast Florida coast

After Hurricane Irma in 2017, DEP issued an emergency final order for protecting major structures along the St. Johns County coast. In 2022, Nicole’s onshore winds caused severe beach erosion, especially in St. Johns County, and DEP assessed damage in Duval and St. Johns. Nicole also set the highest water level on record at the Mayport gauge. Matthew in 2016 caused 5–7 feet of inundation along the Flagler, St. Johns and Duval coasts.

Fourth Amended and Restated Emergency Final Order, OGC No. 17-1001 · Hurricanes Ian and Nicole Recovery Plan for Florida's Beach and Dune System · Mayport 8720218 datums (max observed) · NHC Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Matthew (AL142016)

Budget at a different scale

A Jacksonville-area marine contractor told the Jacksonville Business Journal in 2024 that private oceanfront sea walls can cost $150,000 or more, with concrete walls costing more than wood-framed ones. St. Johns County’s Porpoise Point armoring, 125 feet of seawall and 50 feet of riprap, cost $1 million. Coordinate with neighbors: gaps and end effects matter on the ocean.

Sea walls gain popularity among coastal homes · St. Johns County Set to Begin $38.6 Million Ponte Vedra Beach Restoration Project

Plan the next step

• Find your property on the control line and ask the coastal engineer whether the house is “eligible” and “vulnerable” under the rule.
• Check whether neighboring armoring creates a qualifying gap of 250 feet or less.
• Keep dated photos of the dune and escarpment before and after each storm.
• Read the storm guide and the local guides for Ponte Vedra Beach and Jacksonville Beach.