Regulations and Guidelines

These guidelines apply to residential piers, community piers, and commercial marinas. Different rules apply depending on the type of pier you are building.  

Residential Piers, for homeowners

• Property Lines: Your pier cannot cross property lines.
• Setbacks: Your Local Agency determines how far the pier must be from property lines. If you need to build within that setback, you must get a variance from your local agency.
• Width: The main walkway cannot be wider than 6 feet over open water, or 3 feet over vegetated wetlands.
• Length: Generally, piers can extend 150 feet from land, or 1/4 the distance of the waterway width, whichever is less.
• Platforms: You are allowed a maximum of 200 square feet of platform space. Platforms cannot be built over submerged aquatic vegetation.
• Boat Slips: You may have up to 4 boat slips, plus 2 additional slips for jet skis or smaller crafts.

Note on Legacy Piers: If you have a functioning pier installed before February 14, 1994, that does not meet these rules, you might be exempt. Contact us for details.  

Community Piers, for communities with a shared pier

Community piers follow the same criteria as residential piers, but can have up to 10 boat slips and additional platform space.  

Commercial Marinas

A marina is defined as any pier with more than 10 boat slips.  

• Slips: There is no maximum number of slips, but local zoning must allow marina use and state tidal wetlands rules still apply.
• Design: Marinas have more flexible requirements than residential piers and can have larger pier widths and platform sizes.
• All new or expanding marinas must comply with MDE's Marina Siting Guidelines.

Hiring a Marine Contractor

You do not have to do this work alone, but you must follow specific rules regarding who performs the construction.  

• Who can do the work: Any work in tidal wetlands must be done by the property owner or a licensed marine contractor.
• Locating a Licensed Professional: You can find a licensed professional using the searchable list from the Marine Contractors Licensing Board.
• Timing: You are allowed to apply for your permit before you have selected a contractor.

Contact your Local Agency office, often referred to as Planning and Zoning, to discuss their requirements.  

Departments Reviewing Your Application

Before you begin any work, you will want to be aware of all necessary reviews and licensing requirements from your local, state, and federal agencies. Understanding the responsibilities of these agencies will help you avoid delays and ensure compliance. Three main levels of government review pier projects, and you will likely need approvals from all three.  

City or County

Your local agency, often the Planning and Zoning office, handles the specific requirements for your area. Your local agency is the county or city you live in. You should call or visit them to begin the permitting process.  

• What they do: They handle building permits, construction standards, and property line setbacks.
• What they check: They ensure the pier is safely located on your property and meets local zoning rules.

State and Federal Agencies

Your state agency is the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Tidal Wetlands Division. We work jointly with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a federal agency, to help you get the additional approvals for your proposed work.  

• What we do: Protect Maryland's public waters, the Chesapeake Bay, and natural resources like submerged aquatic vegetation, while allowing property owners to exercise their riparian rights.
• Streamlined Process: To make it easier for you, the State and Federal agencies use a single application process for their joint review.

If you have questions along the way, consider reaching out to MDE and requesting a Pre-Application Meeting.  

A complete application includes:  

1. A completed General Application (PDF) signed by the property owner.
2. Application Fees, if applicable.
3. A complete set of drawings showing your proposed work. Visit the Instructions and Examples for Drawings of Tidal Projects for more information.
4. A letter notifying your adjoining property neighbors about the project. Use this Sample Letter Template.

Expedited Pier Licenses are available for residential fixed piers and pier structures. To qualify, you must submit a complete application that meets all the criteria outlined in the expedited checklist.