TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Anthea Gianniotes, Development Services Director
THROUGH: Terrence R. Moore, ICMA-CM
DATE: January 6, 2026
Title
ORDINANCE NO. 07-26: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 7, “BUILDING REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE 7.9, “DOCKS, DOLPHINS, FINGER PIERS, AND BOAT LIFTS,” BY REPEALING AND REPLACING ARTICLE 7.9 TO PROVIDE UPDATED REGULATIONS FOR THE USE; PROVIDING A CONFLICTS CLAUSE, A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, AUTHORITY TO CODIFY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (FIRST READING)
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Consider Ordinance No. 07-26, a City-initiated amendment to amend Article 7.9, “Docks, Dolphins, Finger Piers, and Boat Lifts,” repealing and replacing the existing regulations in their entirety.
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Background:
The city has waterbodies under the jurisdiction of multiple entities. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and its branches of canals throughout city are owned and maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP). The same is true for Lake Ida.
However, the existing regulations for docks generally suffer from a lack of flexibility for the varying waterway conditions in the city, and a lack of clarity in definitions. As such, the City routinely processes relief requests for docks. Frequent requests for relief that are approved are often an indication that the regulations are not well-calibrated. Terminology has been updated and the ordinance provides clarity of the regulations and process for mooring structures.
The update is comprised of two ordinances: Ord. No. 07-26 is a repeal and replace of Article 7.9, which provides the detailed regulations, and Ord. No. 06-26, which updates definitions and amends other sections of the code to ensure consistency.
The attached Planning and Zoning Board staff report provides a complete overview of the issues associated with the request.
Planning and Zoning Board voted 7-0 to recommend approval of Ordinance No. 07-26 (as Ordinance No. 12-25) at its meeting on November 17, 2025.
City Attorney Review:
Ordinance No. 07-26 is approved as to form and legal sufficiency.
Funding Source/Financial Impact:
Not applicable.
Timing of Request:
Ordinance No. 07-26 will be effective immediately if approved at second reading, anticipated for January 20, 2026