An official website of the State of Georgia.
The permitting program of the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) is responsible for regulating activities in Georgia’s coastal areas to ensure sustainable development while protecting natural resources. This program administers permits for projects that may impact marshlands, beaches, and tidally influenced coastal waters under the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, Shore Protection Act, and Revocable License Authority.
Key Responsibilities:
- Marsh and Shore Permitting: Reviews and processes applications for docks, shoreline stabilization, marinas, and other structures in or near coastal marshlands.
- Shoreline Protection: Ensures compliance with Georgia’s Shore Protection Act, regulating activities near dunes and beaches.
- Coordination with Agencies: Works with federal, state, and local agencies to enforce environmental laws and policies.
- Public Engagement: Provides guidance to property owners, developers, and local governments on regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about coastal permits, revocable licenses, and other important information.
Jurisdictional Determinations
Learn how to request a marsh or shore jurisdictional determination for your project.
Apply for a Permit
Learn how to apply for a permit, obtain a letter of permission, or lease a waterbottom.
About Georgia's Marshes
With approximately 378,000 acres of salt marsh, Georgia has almost one-third of the total salt marsh area on the eastern seaboard. The coastal marshlands of Georgia comprise a vital natural resource system. Our marsh is important for
- The growth and survival of the fish and shellfish that makes Georgia’s famous seafood industry so productive
- The treatment of polluted run-off that originates from the uplands
- Our protection from erosion and from coastal flooding during storm events
- Natural resource recreation, which has become vitally linked to the economy of Georgia's coastal zone and to that of the entire state
Georgia's marshes are one of the most pristine coastal areas in the country, and it needs protection to remain so. As public trustees of the coastal marshlands for succeeding generations, the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources allows for the sustainable use of the estuarine area through permits and other methods of authorization that will preserve the condition of the marsh while still allowing for its enjoyment.
Coastal Laws & Revocable License Authority
CRD uses three main mechanisms of authority to allow for activities in the jurisdictional marsh and shore areas and to regulate structures and activities that impact public trust lands which fall under jurisdiction of these regulations:
The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act
The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) regulates activities and water dependent structures in jurisdictional marshlands. Projects that require a CMPA permit include marinas, community docks, bridges, dredging, bank stabilizations, modifications to any such structure, and any construction not exempted from the Act. If you are planning any construction or activity in or near salt marsh in the State of Georgia, you must contact our office for a jurisdictional determination and to find out if you need a CMPA permit for your project.
The Shore Protection Act
The Shore Protection Act (SPA) regulates activities and structures in jurisdictional beach and shore areas. Projects that require an SPA permit include beach renourishment, rock revetments, landscaping, dune crossovers, any structure in the jurisdictional area and any modification to any such structure. Beach driving, as indicated by O.C.G.A. 12-5-230 and Rule 391-2-2, is allowed under very specific criteria and is handled by CRD staff through the authority of the SPA Committee. If you are planning any construction or activity in or near the shore, beach, or dunes in the State of Georgia, you must contact our office for a jurisdictional determination and to find out if you need a SPA permit for your project.
The Revocable License Authority
The Revocable License (RL) authority of the State of Georgia allows for structures to occupy public trust lands water bottoms. The RL is issued as a standard component of the CMPA, Individual Dock Permit, and Bank Stabilization permit processes. It is also issued for projects and entities that may be exempt from the CMPA process such as Georgia Power and Georgia Ports Authority. As the name implies, this license can be revoked if project compliance is not met. If you’re planning a project that may occupy any estuarine or water bottoms area, you must contact our office to find out if you need an RL for your project.
More information
- In response to the effects of Hurricane Helene on Coastal Georgia, the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Oct. 2, 2024, activated a series of emergency orders to expedite permit requests related to the repair and reconstruction of regulated activities in Georgia’s coastal communities and safeguard ecosystems while allowing for the efficient cleanup of debris. These emergency orders will be in effect until March 31, 2025. Parties must contact CRD prior to beginning work in areas under the jurisdiction of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) or Shore Protection Act (SPA). Find more information here.
- Marsh & Shore Public Notices can be found on the CRD homepage in the bottom footer under the tab "Public Notices."
- Federal Consistency
Mailing Lists
The Coastal Resources Division maintains electronic and "snail" mailing lists for several regulatory topics of interest. Subscribe below.
- Subscribe to email lists
- Marsh & Shore Regulatory Mailing List Notifies interested persons of proposed rule changes and dates/places of public hearings pertaining to marsh and shore regulations, marsh and shore permit applications, public hearings, Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee meetings, and Shore Protection Committee meetings. Subscribe to Marsh & Shore Regulatory Snail Mail.
