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NOTICE OF PROPOSED REGULATION CHANGES
TO: All Interested Persons and Parties
FROM: Doug Haymans
SUBJECT: Notice of Proposed Rules for Private Docks in State Owned Tidal Waters
Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to authority set forth below, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources proposes that the Board of Natural Resources adopt a new Subject 391-2-1 of the Rules of the Department of Natural Resources to establish rules for private docks located over state-owned tidal water bottoms. New Rules 391-2-1-.01 through 391-2-1-.09 are proposed. These new rules will replace the former Subject 391-2-1 and Rules 391-2-1-.01 through 391-2-1-.08, which were repealed on May 21, 2013. The Coastal Committee of the Board of Natural Resources was previously briefed on these proposed rules on June 23, 2026, and public comments were accepted. Based on feedback received, the rules noticed herein have been revised including changes to definitions, standards for new docks, maintenance of existing docks, variances, transfer procedures, compliance inspections and penalties, among others. The Board was briefed on these changes at its meeting on August 25, 2026.
The amended and new proposed rules for private docks are being promulgated under the authority of O.C.G.A. § 50-16-61, which grants the Governor supervision and control over all property of the state that has not otherwise been provided for by the General Assembly. The Governor has delegated authority over all state-owned water bottoms covered by tidal waters whose custody and control has not been provided for by the General Assembly, to the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Subject 391-2-1 and Rules 391-2-1-.01 through 391-2-1-.09 seek to establish an orderly process for issuing revocable licenses for the construction, reconstruction and modification, and some maintenance of private docks in state-owned tidal water bottoms which meet the exemptions in O.C.G.A. §12-5-295 (7) and O.C.G.A. § 12-5- 295 (7.1). Additionally, these Rules institute a process for inspecting and enforcing standards for private docks in tidal waters.
Written public comments must be postmarked by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, and emailed comments will be accepted through 4:30 PM on September 30, 2026. Comments should be legible, concise, and limited to the proposed rules. Following the comment period, the Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rules on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the DNR Boardroom at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE Suite 1252 East, Atlanta, GA 30334.
Mail or email comments to:
Coastal Resources Division
Attn: Jill Andrews
One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520Email: crd.comments@dnr.ga.gov
Additional information is available at CoastalGaDNR.org/DockRules.
