An official website of the State of Georgia.
Private Recreational Dock Rules: Process & Where We Are
Updated Sept. 5, 2025
What’s happening
CRD is formalizing clear, consistent standards for private recreational docks over state-owned tidal water bottoms by updating Subject 391-2-1 of DNR rules. This effort carries forward standards previously guided by a federal programmatic permit that expired in 2022.
How we got here
- Jan. 2024: DNR briefed the Board and noticed proposed rulemaking, including a public hearing and comment period.
- The rules seek to codify eligibility and design/maintenance standards for private docks to protect public trust resources while ensuring reasonable access.
Stakeholder & public input (2024–2025)
- CRD convened a facilitated Stakeholder Committee representing homeowners, builders, local officials, environmental organizations, and technical experts. The group met five times, heard from scientists, and produced a consensus report.
- The members were: Rocky Browder, Mike McMillen, Chip Croft, Dan Bucey, Sam LaBarba, Jim Myrick, Jason Ball, William Craig, Patrick Farrell, Davis Poole, Courtney Reich, and Alice Keyes. State Rep. Rick Townsend served as an ex officio member, as did Sarah Wise with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Shannon Winsness with Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and Dr. Clark Alexander, University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.
- Later virtual sessions generated a minority report capturing additional viewpoints.
- 2024 public input included one hearing and seven written comments, generally supportive, with suggestions (e.g., variances, size standard tweaks, species protections).
Key recommendations under discussion
Examples include: requiring a licensed general contractor; clarifying protected-species best practices; and administrative improvements like easier license transfers and a builder certification program. The minority report also raised alternatives on component sizes and variance pathways.
Where we are now
CRD’s Stakeholder Committee has concluded its meetings. On Sept. 4, 2025, CRD hosted a public Town Hall to present recommendations, answer questions, and gather input as staff prepare a revised proposal.
What’s next
- Now–January 2026: CRD will review Stakeholder Committee input, public comments, and Town Hall feedback.
- Early 2026: Present a revised proposal to the DNR Board, hold a public meeting, and open a public comment period.
- Following the public comment period, CRD will be eligible to request approval from the DNR Board.
Stay involved
Questions or input? Email Jill.Andrews@dnr.ga.gov. Click here to sign up for news releases from CRD.
For questions about a dock on your property, please visit the permitting Points of Contact page by clicking here.
Background documents
Board briefing & public participation plan (Jan. 2024)
Stakeholder Process Summary Report (Mar. 12, 2025)
Minority Report (Apr.–May 2025) capturing additional positions
Town Hall overview slides (Sept. 4, 2025)
Table: Programmatic General Permit 83 - History of Recreational, Single-Family Docks
- View previous content posted May 9, 2025
Previous post from May 9, 2025:
The Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is seeking interested applicants to serve as members of a facilitated stakeholder process to advise CRD in the development of regulations for private recreational docks in tidal waters.
The Private Dock Stakeholder Committee is being formed to provide input and guidance to CRD as is seeks to promulgate new rules that will establish the following: eligibility to receive a revocable license for a private dock in tidal waters; and b) standards and conditions for the construction, maintenance, reconstruction, or modification of a private dock.
Stakeholder committee members must live or work in coastal Georgia (Camden, Glynn, McIntosh, Liberty, Bryan or Chatham counties) and qualify under one of the following categories:
- Residential waterfront property owner
- Employee or member of an environmental non-profit organization (501(c)(3))
- Employee of an environmental consulting, engineering or related firm with experience in private dock permitting and/or design
- Marine contractor and/or dock builder with experience in coastal Georgia
- Academia
- At large citizen
Stakeholder committee members must commit to attending four (4) to six (6) half-day, in-person, weekday (Monday through Friday) meetings at locations throughout coastal Georgia. The committee will meet June through December 2024, with possible extension through winter 2025. Each meeting will be facilitated by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vincent Institute of Government.
Appointment to the stakeholder committee is subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Natural Resources. Applicants should provide a statement of interest and potential contributions to the committee. This is a volunteer committee and no compensation for time or travel expenses will be provided.
How do I apply?
The application period closed at 4:30 p.m., June 3, 2024. CRD will contact applicants in the coming weeks.
What if I have additional questions?
Anyone with questions can contact Jill Andrews at jill.andrews@dnr.ga.gov or (912) 264-7218.
- Residential waterfront property owner