An official website of the State of Georgia.
Updated August 26, 2026
What’s happening
CRD is formalizing standards for private recreational docks over state-owned tidal water bottoms by updating Subject 391-2-1 of DNR rules. Currently, there are no rules for how CRD will issue revocable licenses for private docks that are exempt from other coastal wetland permitting laws like the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. In 1996, CRD began issuing state licenses as well as permits on behalf of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps delegated their authority over docks to the State through a Programmatic General Permit which established criteria and standards for docks in coastal Georgia. The general permit expired in 2022 and was not renewed by the Corps. Since August 2022, CRD has used a Standard Operating Procedure based on the former federal standards as an interim framework for issuing state licenses. Beginning in 2024, CRD undertook stakeholder and public comment processes and is now asking the Board of Natural Resources to adopt the proposed rules.
Dock Rulemaking Timeline:
- 1996: First Programmatic General Permit issued by Army Corps of Engineers; CRD begins authorizing private docks
- 2016: CRD proposes rulemaking for private docks; withdrawn
- 2022: Programmatic General Permit expires; is not renewed by the Corps
- 2022: CRD adopts a Standard Operating Procedure for issuing licenses for private docks that mirrors the former permit
- Jan. 2024: CRD provides notice of proposed rulemaking for private docks, including a public hearing and comment period
- July 2024: CRD engages a consensus-based Private Recreational Dock Stakeholder Committee to review standards and criteria
- May 2025: CRD publishes a stakeholder committee consensus document and minority report documenting discussions for which no consensus was reached
- September 2025: Public town hall meeting held to gather additional input
- May 2026: CRD advises Board of Natural Resources on status of rulemaking and receives further input
- June 2026: CRD provides a new notice of proposed rulemaking for private docks including a comment period (View submitted comments here)
- August 2026: CRD re-briefs the Board. The Coastal Committee of the Board votes to move forward with the proposal with revisions. CRD issues a new notice of proposed rule making
Where we are now
Since the notice of proposed rulemaking in June 2026, CRD received significant input from the public, Board and other interested stakeholders and lawmakers. As a result, CRD presented revised rules to the Board on August 25, 2026. The Board's Coastal Committee voted to go forward with the proposed rules and a public comment period began August 26, 2026 and closing at 4:30 p.m. September 30, 2026.
What’s next
- September 30, 2026: Public comment period closes
- October 27, 2026: CRD will request final action by the Board to adopt rules, anticipated
- Late 2026: Rules go into effect if approved by the Board
Stay involved
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For questions about a dock on your property, please visit the permitting Points of Contact page by clicking here.
Learn More
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
Summary of Private Dock Stakeholder Process (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 discussions
- Requiring a licensed general contractor for dock construction
- Clarifying protected-species best practices
- Easier license transfers
- Dock builder certification program
- Dock component sizes and criteria
- Variance pathways
Additional Resources
