Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-16.3 - Standard requirements for all docks

All docks are subject to the following requirements:

(1) Adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystem. All docks, hoists, slips and related structures shall be located, sized, configured, constructed and installed to limit their adverse impacts on the aquatic ecosystem. In areas of sensitive aquatic habitat, docks and hoists shall be located, configured, constructed and installed to minimize harm to aquatic habitat. Other restrictions may be placed on docks that are in a state-protected waters area as necessary to protect the natural features of the designated area.

(2) Adverse impacts on public access for recreational use. A dock shall not be configured to enclose an area of a public water body and create a private water area or otherwise adversely affect public recreational use of the water body. Where walking or wading parallel to the shore below the ordinary high-water mark would be physically practical except for the obstruction created by a dock, the dock owner shall not prevent a person from stepping on or over the dock to bypass the obstruction.

(3) Location and offsets. To the extent practical, a dock and boat hoists shall be placed near the center of the shoreline property frontage and installed perpendicular to the ordinary high-water mark to maximize offsets from neighboring properties. Each dock, hoist, moored vessel and other permitted structure shall be offset a minimum of five feet from an adjoining property line and five feet from the projection of a line perpendicular from the ordinary high-water mark at the common boundary with adjoining shoreline property as determined by the department. A minimum gap of ten feet shall be maintained between adjoining docks (including "L" or "T" or catwalk segments), hoists or moored boats. Where projection of a line perpendicular from the ordinary high-water mark is impractical, it is the intent of this rule that a ten-foot gap be maintained in a manner that is equitable to each adjoining shoreline property owner.

(4) Length. A dock shall not extend farther from the water's edge than the distance necessary for reasonable access to the water body in relation to characteristics of the water body in the vicinity of the dock site and the impacts on the water body and other users. Access to maintain one or more boats in water with a minimum depth of three feet shall be considered sufficient access.

(5) Display of 911 address. Each dock owner shall display the 911 address, including the street and city, assigned to the property served by the dock. The owner of a dock authorized by an individual permit shall also display the dock permit number. The information shall be displayed in block letters and numbers at least one inch high in a color contrasting with the background, on the water end of the dock, facing away from shore, and shall be plainly visible.

(6) Winter removal. Each dock must be removed from public waters before December 15 of each year and shall not be reinstalled until the following spring unless the removal requirement is waived by a condition of a dock permit or by rule 571-16.18 (461A,462A).

(7) No enclosure of private docks. Private docks and docks in dock management areas shall not be enclosed by roofs or sides. Hoists may be enclosed by roofs and sides constructed of soft-sided natural fiber or synthetic fiber materials for the purpose of protecting watercraft.

(8) Materials and flotation specifications. Every new floating structure authorized by this chapter shall use flotation methods and devices of a type constructed of low-density, closed-cell rigid plastic foam; high-impact polyethylene fiberglass material; wood products pressure-treated with a product approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for aquatic use; or other inert materials to provide flotation. Synthetic (such as plastic or fiberglass) or metal containers not originally manufactured as flotation devices may be used as dock flotation devices if they have been cleaned of any product residue, sealed and watertight, and filled with a closed-cell rigid plastic foam.

(9) Flow of water. All docks shall be constructed and placed in a manner that allows the free flow of water beneath them.

(10) Excavation, fill and aquatic vegetation removal prohibited. No bed material may be excavated or fill placed, and no aquatic vegetation may be removed below the ordinary high-water mark of a water body in association with construction of a dock unless excavation, placement of fill, or aquatic vegetation removal is specifically authorized by a construction permit issued under 571-Chapter 13.

(11) Storage, use, and dispensing of fuel. The storage, use, and dispensing of any fuel on a dock on or over a public water body or adjacent public land shall be in compliance with Iowa Code chapter 101 and administrative rules that implement Iowa Code chapter 101.

(12) Electrical service. Any electrical service on or leading to any dock used for storage or dispensing of fuel must comply with the National Electrical Code, 2023 edition. All electrical service leading to docks shall include ground fault circuit interrupter protection.

(13) Anchoring of river docks. All river docks must be securely anchored to prevent them from becoming floating hazards during times of high river flows. The riparian owner is responsible for dock retrieval and removal when necessary to prevent or remove a navigation hazard.

(14) Access for inspection. A dock, boat hoist, raft, platform, mooring buoy or any other structure on a public water body may be physically inspected at any time by a representative of the department as needed to determine whether it was placed and is maintained in a manner consistent with the requirements in these rules or with a permit issued under these rules.

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-16.3

Adopted by IAB May 1, 2024/Volume XLVI, Number 22, effective 6/5/2024