Dock Permits and Replacement?

[boccebay]

I bought a home on the lake about 1.5 years ago but have been coming up my whole life. The home has 150' of waterfront with a L shaped dock in a smaller cove. The dock may have a few years left in it but is at the end of its life cycle.

What are my options to replace it? I would like to modify it to a T shape if possible so that the boat would not sit below a dirty pine tree. Over the years I have heard many difficult stories regarding dock permits. Are these old wise tales or is there some truth?

What is the process to go about amending my current dock plan and preparing for an eventual replacement? With all the frontage, the fact that it would not affect my neighbors, and it would still protrude from the same spot on the property, I can not see why it would raise any issues.

Thank you for all your help. This forum has been a great resource for me over the last couple years. Can't wait for summer!

[Jersey Ed]

Boccebay have you tried to do a search on here as questions like this have been asked many times??

[boccebay]

I have searched but was unable to come up with much relating to a reconfiguration. I found some information on 40' straight docks and some people asking about U docks being grandfathered in. Perhaps I missed it. Please share a link if you know of an existing thread.

[BroadHopper]

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divis...sonal-dock.htm

The law only allows for a single 6 feet wide, and 40 feet long dock on lakes over 1,000 acres or larger, or no more than 6 feet wide and 30 feet long on water bodies that are less than 1,000 acres in size.

Existing docks configurations are grandfathered.

[tummyman]

Not True in my opinion....you are allowed to have more dock space for every 75 ft of added frontage. See below:

Env-Wt 402.13 Frontage Over 75'. To lessen congestion, improve public safety and navigation, protect neighboring property values, provide sufficient area for construction of facilities, provide adequate area for boat maneuvering, and protect health, safety, and general welfare, there shall be a minimum of 75' of shoreline frontage on the property for the first 2-slip structure and an additional 75' of shoreline frontage on the property for each additional boating slip or securing location on a structure for non-commercial use. This section shall not be interpreted to prevent construction of a dock on lots with less than 75' of shoreline frontage as provided in Env-Wt 402.12.

As a result, if you have at least 150 ft of frontage, measured as the average between a straight line between your pins and the waterfront frontage at the high lake level, then you can apply for a permit to have a third slip. this allows for a "U" shaped configuration, etc. So 150 ft would allow for three slips, 225 ft would allow for four slips, etc. Need to file with DES as a Standard Dredge and Fill permit...not a the seasonal dock notification application. They are two different things.

[TiltonBB]

It may have a lot to do with what is already there. If you are trying to replace the existing dock wth a dock of the same square footage, just a different configuration, you may be able to.

I would call DES in Concord and tell them what your situation is. They have someone assigned to answer telephone inquiries and in the past they have been very helpful when I called.

[tis]

They do not like u shaped docks. If you have one you can still have one but they discourage it.

[pontoonbarge]

Hi -- I suggest you give DES a call. A meeting with them is really helpful. I did that last year, and could ask all my questions and find out what might work out best for our lot.

Ahead of time I thought it'd be an intimidating meeting, but it wasn't at all. Met with one very helpful person who even sketched out a possibility for me.

After that is getting the permit application together. Town Halls in the area have examples. There's an easy form, and a hard form. Carefully review the online guidelines on the DES page. (By 'hard' i mean lengthy... but you can do it. 1 step at a time.)

Note: a 'boat slip' in these documents referrs to an 8x25' rectangle.

Note2: if removing/replacing something, make clear what is going away.


It worked out well, and I learned quite a bit.

Best wishes for your project. Make the call to Concord.

-pb

[smith point boater]

I would suggest you call Watermark (or one of the local dock companies). They know the shoreline regulations VERY well and should be able to advise on what you can and cannot do. We have used Watermark for a few dock projects over the years and they have handled the whole thing start to finish

[sluggo]

Give Center Harbor Dock & Pier a call, Don can answer any questions you have relating to your dock and permitting.... 253-4000

[Safe Harbor]

Agree with calling the dock companies. I changed a small single dock on my Winnipesaukee property (with 150 ft of frontage) to a U shaped dock last fall. You absolutely have to get permits if you are changing the dock structure and the dock companies are best suited to draw them up and file them. Your property lines with adjacent neighbors can play a factor with positioning of a wider dock as there are set back rules. It is time consuming and exacting process but having a properly permitted legal structure is important. Good luck!

[boccebay]

Thank you for all of these suggestions. This information is encouraging especially because I would not consider my current L configuration acceptable for two boats which seems to be the minimum. By my estimate, the pier juts out about 12-15 feet and then takes a right and runs parallel to the shore. I can fit one boat on the outside and a jetski or whaler on the inside but certainly not anything of decent size. My hope is that i could fit two boats on the outside with a T configuration where the top of the T runs parallel to the shore.

I plan on calling Concord as well as a dock company for some advice. Since the project is not imminent, I have been hesitant to engage a dock company. The Center Harbor Dock and Pier Co. is very close to me. Have people enjoyed working with them and do you believe they would look at a project like this that is likely a year or more off from becoming a reality?

[pontoonbarge]

Since you have some time, it makes it easier. I did all my drawings, and had the dock (aluminum winch-out ) done by Winnipesaukee Island Services. Very happy with them, and love the new dock.

My advice on talking to Concord from the get-go was because that would have saved me some time..

The dredge/fill permits get submitted (5 copies) to town halls, which is really useful info that I didn't have...

Meeting face to face with DES and the Conservation commission was helpful.

[tummyman]

See my prior post on this thread at 4/15/2015//3:04PM

Just received my approved permit from DES for a "U" shaped dock. Interestingly, the permit is good for only 5 years and has a specific expiration. I was not expecting any expiration. I have no idea what the process will be when it expires in 2020 as there is nothing I can find other than making another full re-submittal.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by tummyman

See my prior post on this thread at 4/15/2015//3:04PM

Just received my approved permit from DES for a "U" shaped dock. Interestingly, the permit is good for only 5 years and has a specific expiration. I was not expecting any expiration. I have no idea what the process will be when it expires in 2020 as there is nothing I can find other than making another full re-submittal.

I believe that means you have 5 years to get the work done, not 5 years for the dock....

Dan

[SAB1]

Ishoot is correct and if during that 5 year period you need additional work done you don't need to pay fee again.

[tummyman]

OK...if that is the case, I'm good to go !!! Thanks for the clarification. The data from DES wasn't that clear at all.

[Onshore]

ishoot308 is correct.

[TheProfessor]

Originally Posted by boccebay

I bought a home on the lake about 1.5 years ago but have been coming up my whole life. The home has 150' of waterfront with a L shaped dock in a smaller cove. The dock may have a few years left in it but is at the end of its life cycle.

What are my options to replace it? !

Hire an independent waterfront/lake home/ dock specialist.

My neighbor purchased a home on the lake. Redesigned the whole waterfront including adding horseshoe permanent dock.
The guy he hired did everything. All permits.
The guy knows everything to do with docks. Knows all in Concord.

Well worth the money spent.

Yes, of course, you can do all yourself.

[sluggo]

Tummyman ... Your permit is good for five years from the dated acceptance of the application. If for any reason you do not complete the work in that time frame you can apply for a five year extension. You have to wait until you have thirty days left on the permit and there is a form on the D.E.S web site you can down load and fill out for that extended time frame. Complete the form and mail it in.... There are no costs or fees to the state involving that process.