Docks & Boat Lifts for Brick Lagoons: Permit Basics

Thinking about adding a dock or boat lift to your Brick Township lagoon property, but unsure where to start? You want approvals that move quickly and a design that works for your boat and the bay. This guide breaks down the local and state permits, common design limits, and a simple plan to help you avoid delays. Let’s dive in.

Brick Township permit basics

Before any work begins, you need a municipal engineering permit. Brick Township’s code requires an engineering permit for bulkheads, docks, piers, and boat lifts, and the Township Engineer reviews and issues approvals after plan review. See Chapter 168 of the Brick Township Code for the rules and submittal standards.

Your application must include plans drawn to scale. Plans should be signed and sealed by a licensed professional or include manufacturer construction details for typical products, along with the Township’s Bulkhead and Dock checklist. Brick also enforces construction standards and can require repair or removal of unsafe or nuisance structures.

NJDEP approvals for lagoon docks

New Jersey regulates coastal and wetland work through the NJDEP Division of Land Use Regulation. For man-made lagoons, many small residential docks and lifts can qualify for NJDEP’s General Permit-by-Certification 15, which streamlines approval if your design meets the criteria. Learn more on the NJDEP coastal permitting page.

Key GP-15 limits

• Dock width normally up to 8 feet.
• Total length including mooring piles limited to 20 percent of the lagoon width.
• Minimum spacing from property lines, commonly 4 feet for perpendicular docks.
• Deck plank spacing and minimum elevation where needed to reduce shading and protect wetlands.
• Restore any wetlands disturbed during construction.

Always confirm exact criteria for your property before applying.

When you need more than a GP

If your plan exceeds GP limits, involves dredging beyond maintenance allowances, or affects mapped wetlands or submerged aquatic vegetation, you will likely need an individual NJDEP permit. Depending on location, that can include Waterfront Development, Wetlands, or CAFRA approvals. These reviews can take longer and may require studies or mitigation, and NJDEP’s rules allow specific review timelines once an application is complete. See the state’s coastal permitting guidance for context on process and timing.

Federal and other coordination

New Jersey administers many wetland permits under a state-assumed program, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers retains jurisdiction in certain navigable waters. Confirm whether your lagoon is connected to waters where federal review applies. For background on New Jersey’s program assumption, see the federal overview of Section 404 delegation.

Some permit types require notifying adjacent property owners or the County Planning Board, and your project must conform to local zoning. Brick’s municipal permit is issued after local standards are met and, where required, after state authorization.

Environmental constraints to expect

Barnegat Bay supports eelgrass and other submerged aquatic vegetation that improve habitat and water quality. Docks can shade or disturb these areas, so regulators often favor narrower, elevated designs with open decking or boat lifts instead of long floats. Learn about SAV on NJDEP’s Barnegat Bay resources.

Parts of Brick fall within coastal planning areas where CAFRA rules can apply to upland work connected to your dock. Check parcel status on NJDEP’s CAFRA planning map before you design.

Step-by-step permit game plan

1. Confirm property status and jurisdiction

• Verify property lines and riparian rights and that your waterbody is a man-made lagoon.
• Check NJDEP mapping for CAFRA areas, wetlands, and SAV.

2. Talk to Brick Engineering early

• Contact the Township Engineer to request the Bulkhead and Dock checklist and application forms.
• Confirm plan requirements, fees, and inspection steps noted in Chapter 168.

3. Choose your NJDEP path

• If you meet GP-15 conditions, use the online General Permit-by-Certification process for faster authorization.
• If not, prepare an individual application and consider a pre-application discussion with NJDEP. See the NJDEP coastal permitting page.

4. Prepare plans and proofs

• Provide scaled plans signed and sealed by a licensed professional or manufacturer construction details for your dock or lift.
• Include evidence of riparian rights and any NJDEP receipt or permit number needed before the municipal permit can be issued.

5. Build to the plan

• Schedule inspections with Brick and keep permits on site.
• Match construction to approved plans, including pile sizes, elevations, and deck spacing.

Timelines, costs, and delays

• Timelines: GP-by-certification is often weeks to a couple of months if your application is complete. Individual NJDEP permits generally have a 20 working day completeness check and up to 90 days for decisions after completeness, but complex projects can take longer. See state guidance on process and timing.
• Costs: NJDEP fees vary by permit type and may be based on construction cost, and municipal permit fees and inspection or escrow requirements are additional. Check current fee schedules before you apply.
• Common delays: Missing plan details, lack of riparian rights documentation, presence of SAV or mapped wetlands, endangered species review, dredging, or local zoning board requirements. Early contact with Brick and NJDEP helps you avoid these issues.

Buyers and sellers: what to check

If you are buying a lagoonfront home, review the condition and approvals for any existing dock or lift. Brick can enforce maintenance and nuisance rules for unsafe or noncompliant structures, which can lead to required repairs or removal. If you plan to replace or expand a structure, expect to obtain permits before you list or after you close.

Have questions about how a dock or lift may influence value or timing for a sale or purchase in Brick Township? For local insight and a clear plan, connect with Shire Realty.

FAQs

Do you need an NJDEP permit for a lagoon dock in Brick?

• Many small residential docks and lifts in man-made lagoons qualify under NJDEP’s General Permit-by-Certification 15. Projects that exceed GP limits or affect wetlands, SAV, or CAFRA areas will need individual permits. See the NJDEP coastal permitting page.

Are boat lifts allowed under NJ rules in man-made lagoons?

• Yes. Boat lifts are specifically covered under GP-15 for man-made lagoons when all conditions are met, and they often reduce bottom disturbance compared with long floats. See NJDEP’s GP-by-certification resources.

What plans do you need for a Brick Township dock permit?

• Provide scaled plans signed and sealed by a licensed professional or manufacturer construction details, plus the Township checklist. Where state authorization is required, Brick will need the NJDEP permit reference before issuing an engineering permit. See Brick Township Code Chapter 168.

How long do approvals usually take in New Jersey?

• GP-by-certification can move quickly when complete. Individual permits typically have a 20 working day completeness review and up to 90 days for a decision once complete, with complex cases taking longer. See state process and timing guidance.

Who confirms if federal approvals apply to my project?

• Start with NJDEP and, if your lagoon connects to navigable waters, consult the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding federal jurisdiction. Learn about the Corps’ regulatory program on its nationwide permitting overview.