Seawalls

Seawalls are built to protect areas of human habitation along the coast against tides, waves, and sea level rise. Of the approximate 55 miles of seawalls in Miami Beach, about 5 miles are publicly owned.

In 2020, the highest tide of the year was 2.17’ NAVD. This gives us a glimpse of what future water levels will look like as sea level continues to rise. Private seawalls are our first line of defense against rising tides on the Bayside of the island. The City conducted an elevation survey of all the seawalls in the City and developed a tool to help properties understand their vulnerability to rising tides.

City of Miami Beach Seawall Elevation Tool

The City’s 2021 Seawall Prioritization Plan has identified 66 seawalls and 3 living shorelines that require attention. City plans estimate the project to cost $49 million in design, construction, engineering and inspection. Fortunately, Miami Beach has secured $5.5 million through the G.O. Bond and an additional $11 million through the citywide seawall initiative. Funding needs are $32.5 million for future years (May 2023 estimates).

With 91% of seawalls on private property, elevation plays an important role in reducing the community's vulnerability to storm surges and tidal flooding. In January 2021, the City strengthened a 2016 policy and passed an ordinance requiring all new seawalls to be built at an elevation of 5.7’ NAVD (North American Vertical Datum 1988) and failing seawalls to be re-built to this minimum elevation, to be more resilient as per city code.

The city is committed to finding innovative solutions to secure the necessary funding to complete public seawall retrofits. Private property owners may be eligible for a matching grant for seawall upgrades, please visit MBRisingAbove.com/PPA to learn more.

Steps to Upgrading Your Seawall

Seawall Ordinance

The Seawall Ordinance was adopted on January 13, 2021 and codifies minimum elevations for new seawalls and requires seawalls that are in disrepair and are causing flooding on adjacent properties be maintained.

The Ordinance includes the following:

Requires all new seawalls must be constructed to an elevation of 5.7 ft NAVD, or 4 ft NAVD if designed to support a future elevation of 5.7 NAVD. The elevation requirements are already in effect. On May 11, 2016, the City passed a resolution to require that new seawalls, and those meeting the substantial reconstruction requirements, have higher elevation standards (R2016-4009).
Codifies this above requirement and includes that seawalls must be upgraded if the property has new construction or substantial improvements. It should be noted that property owners are encouraged to consider designs using materials to further biodiversity of the City's coastal marine habitat.
Establishes overtopping as a trigger for seawall elevation and seawall maintenance requirements. Seawalls must be maintained in good repair as to not allow soil to eroded into the bay or waterway or to allow tidal waters to flow through the seawall and impact adjacent private property(s).
Requires that seawalls must be maintained to prevent tidal waters from flowing overland and leaving their property. Enforcement of the maintenance requirements set forth in the Ordinance will be enforced by either the floodplain administrator, a Code Compliance officer, or a police officer.
Established $250 fine for the first offense (day) and $500 per day fine for subsequent infractions and requires that following a citation, the property owner has 730 days to complete repairs. A violator that has been served a notice can request an administrative hearing within ten days to appeal the decision of the enforcement officer.

Click here to review the Seawall Ordinance.

Miami Beach Seawall Contractor Contact

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