CAN YOU BUILD TWO CANAL-FRONT DOCKS ON ONE LOT ON ONO ISLAND?
By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
"Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon."
As a real estate advisor and homeowner on Ono Island, I often receive questions from prospective buyers about what can and can’t be built on waterfront lots—especially when it comes to docks and boathouses. One question I recently helped a buyer navigate was:
“Can I build two docks or boathouses on one canal-front lot on Ono Island?”
Here’s what you need to know before you begin planning your waterfront dream:
Can You Build Two Docks or Boathouses on One Canal Lot?
No, Ono Island’s Architectural Control Committee (ACC) rules do not permit the construction of two boathouses or dock systems on a single canal-front lot. Each canal lot is allowed one permitted pier and boathouse structure, and it must conform to the ACC’s size, location, and environmental impact guidelines.
If you own a larger lot or corner parcel and are wondering whether there’s an exception, the ACC requires site-specific approval, but multiple docks/boathouses on the same lot are not allowed under current regulations.
Design, Size & Placement Guidelines for One Boathouse
For that one allowed boathouse, here are the key rules you’ll need to follow:
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Boat Slip Indentations: Allowed up to 10 feet deep, set back 15 feet from extended property lines.
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Minimum Setback from Underwater Grass: At least 12 inches.
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Canal Intrusion Limit: The outermost structure (roof, pilings, etc.) must remain at least 15 feet from the canal centerline.
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Maximum Width of Walkway: Limited to 4 feet beyond the waterside setback.
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Roof Requirements: Must match the home in both color and material, and is ideally constructed at a 4:12 slope.
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Flat Roof Sundecks: Permitted with railings, up to 16.5 feet above mean high water—but no covering roof may be built over it.
Prohibited Items and Restrictions
Ono Island places strong emphasis on aesthetics, safety, and environmental protection. That means:
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No floating docks or slips are permitted.
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Only one boathouse per lot is allowed.
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No vertical storage closets, although dock boxes and overhead storage are allowed.
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No fish cleaning stations on docks.
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No trimming of native grasses within 2 feet of the canal bank.
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No docking or mooring to the manmade canal system “mounds” or islands.
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A 30-foot-wide navigable channel must be kept clear at all times in the canal—nothing can obstruct this path.
Required Inspections Before and After You Build
If you're building a boathouse or pier, be prepared for several inspections as part of the approval and construction process:
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Pre-Site Inspection with the Island Site Inspector before work begins.
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Piling Placement Verification, documented by a licensed surveyor.
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Roof/Banding Inspection to ensure compliance with color and material guidelines.
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Final Inspection once construction is complete.
The ACC will also perform random site inspections to ensure compliance.
My Advice
If you’re looking at canal-front property on Ono Island, I highly recommend working with a builder and surveyor who knows the local ACC requirements inside and out. These rules are in place to protect property values, preserve water access, and maintain the natural beauty of the island.
I’d be happy to walk you through available lots or existing homes with permitted piers, and connect you with vetted professionals who understand the nuances of waterfront construction here.
Browse canal lots and waterfront homes at:
www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
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