Getting Started - Building a Dock

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This procedure serves as a roadmap of actions necessary to install a dock legally in Waterside Pointe along the north canal adjacent to Blue Cypress Drive.  Other dockable lakefront areas use the same procedures, but the area to be surveyed is not across the street, but adjacent and behind the owner's lot.  Based on modifications to regulations and personnel at each of the required agencies, this document is subject to change without notice and should be used only as a guideline for the project.

State of Florida - Dock Contractor

St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) - Dock Contractor

City of Groveland - Dock Contractor

WSPHOA - Sentry Management - Homeowner compiles required information for application

Hire a dock contractor (licensed).  They will provide plans built to the WSPHOA requirements.  Click here for WSPHOA Dock Guidelines  

Please make sure your dock contractor is familiar with the terms of the Conservation Easement.

You will need to get insurance and read your legal requirements as a homeowner within these covenants.

Dock guidelines and restrictions are set forth in a very strict manner as WSP is surrounded by protected wetlands with Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW).  Therefore the State of Florida has placed very strict regulations and monitoring in place to protect the environment.  As the HOA is the owner of the land where all docks are built, all regulatory agencies hold the Association responsible.  Pursuant to the covenants and statute 720, all acts of non-compliance will be passed to you when you build the dock.  Please see this brochure from Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding common dock compliance violations.  OFW Dock Common Non Compliance Issues

Key Points in Planning (please see WSPHOA Dock Guidelines  for comprehensive guidelines)

• Structure must be in center of lot line and entire structure must fit within 15' (30' total) of either side of center lot line as projected from homeowner lot.
• Structure must be less than 16' from shore as marked from the 96' waterline.
• Structure must not impede navigation of canal.
• Walkway must be elevated 2' above Conservation Easement.

Each Homeowner must have a survey to apply for the Groveland Building Permit.  The property on which the dock will be constructed is legally part of a large plot of land owned by the WSP HOA. In order to apply for a dock permit, you must have a survey that legally defines the boundaries of the easement granted by WSPHOA to the homeowner.  You can hire any surveyor.  Your dock contractor will complete the survey.  

To ease communication, this is what you should share with your survey company:

"We are permitting a dock in Waterside Pointe in Groveland. The homeowner owns the lot which is across the street from a canal that is governed by the association, which the developer controls, where we are building the dock. The City of Groveland wants us to provide a legal description for the location of the dock so as to not encumber the complete canal with this permit and NOC. The canal Legal is Tract B of Waterside Pointe phase 3 PB 67, Pages 20-31. We need a legal description of the portion of the canal ( Tract B ) that is directly across the street from Lot xxx, same width as the lot and 30' deep into the tract.  Please mark the width of the canal on the survey and show that the dock is less than 25% of surveyed width. "

Although WSP HOA Covenants and Dock Guidelines limit docks to a standard that meets the exemption criteria from DEP and SJRWMD as outlined in 62-330.051(5)F.A.C., you must still obtain a verification of exemption letter from SJRWMD.  In order to get an exemption letter from SJRWMD you must send a copy of the survey with your dock drawing on the survey.  This drawing must note clearly that any gangway/walkway will be constructed 2' above any Conservation Easement.

NEW SJRWMD REQUIREMENT - ALL SURVEYS MUST INCLUDE A CLEAR MEASUREMENT OF THE CANAL WIDTH AT YOUR LOCATION.

Please make sure the construction site is clean and free of debris.  Your contractor must follow the conservation easement requirements on the approved plans.

Your contractor schedules a final inspection with Groveland.

Contact HOA Manager to schedule an ARC Inspection.