Find a proProjectsProperty lookupGuides & tools
Charleston/Guides & tools/Boat lift planner

Charleston waterfront planning tool

Boat Lift Planner

Start with the boat, the existing dock, and the permit context. The planner routes the project as repair, replacement, new installation, or broader dock-and-lift work without guessing an engineering capacity.

Deterministic project routingNo account requiredNo “AI capacity” guess

Important: Lift capacity, piling design, electrical work, and structural suitability require the appropriate manufacturer/installer/engineer/trade judgment. Shoreline uses your answers to organize the project, not engineer it.

Read the full boat-lift guide →
Use actual loaded operating weight when available. This planner does not select lift capacity.
Are you likely to move to a meaningfully larger/heavier boat soon?
Does the dock, pierhead, or lift-support structure also appear damaged or unstable?
Is the creek less than 20 feet wide from marsh grass to marsh grass?
If you are not sure, leave this as “Not sure.” A site-specific check is better than guessing.
Do you have the existing dock/lift permit or know what was approved?

Primary sources

The permit flags come from current coastal guidance.

SCDESCritical Area FAQBoat-lift additions, dock eligibility, creek-width guidance, and overlapping approvalsSCDESMinor ActivitiesPrivate docks, living shorelines, erosion-control structures, and additions to existing docksSCDESGeneral PermitsDefined expedited lanes for qualifying existing-dock additions and reconstruction work

Sources reviewed September 13, 2026. Site-specific permit treatment and equipment selection require the responsible agency or qualified professional.