Dock Permit Instructions.p65
SUMMARY OF DOCK MANAGEMENT AREA RULES
Read this reference form before completing the required application.
Keep form for future reference.
Detailed information covering dock permits and dock construction may be found in the Code of Iowa, Chapters 461A and
462A and the Iowa Administrative Code 571-Chapter 16.
Purposes and status of dock management areas. The director may designate an area of public land under the
commission’s jurisdiction and adjoining water as a dock management area. The primary purpose of dock management
areas is to accommodate requests for boating access from owners of properties that are close to a water body but do not
include riparian or littoral property rights. Dock permittees have priority use of the docks for mooring vessels. However,
the docks may be used by members of the public for fishing and emergency mooring when public use does not interfere
with the permittee’s use. Other uses allowed by the permittee shall be the responsibility of the permittee.
A. Standard requirements for dock management area docks. All designated sites shall meet the following criteria:
a. Occupancy of docks. At least two residences shall share a dock. A maximum of six residences shall share a
dock.
b. Spacing and alignment. Dock sites where feasible shall be at least 50 feet apart.
c. Dimensions.
Length. A dock may extend the greater of 100 feet from the water’s edge or far enough so that the
outer 80 feet of the dock is in 3 feet of water up to a maximum of 300 feet, but the dock shall be no
longer than the length for which the applicant provides justification, and the length shall be stated in the
permit.
Width. Docks shall be at least 4 feet wide and no more than 6 feet wide.
d. Configuration.
“L” or “T” segments. A dock shall have no more than one “L” or “T” segment. The total length of
the “L” or “T” segment facing opposite from shore shall not be greater than 20 feet including the width of
the dock. The total area of the “L” or “T” segment shall not exceed 200 square feet. That part of the
main dock forming the center of a “T” segment or an extension of an “L” segment shall be included in
measuring the area of the “T” or “L” segment. A smaller platform size limit may be required at locations
specified by the department as having limited available space.
Catwalks. Catwalks shall be at least 2 feet wide and considered as part of the dock. The length limit
for an “L” or “T” segment stated in the paragraph above shall be applicable to each catwalk. A catwalk
shall not extend beyond the width of the hoist.
Hoists. A hoist or other boat storage structure shall not be placed adjacent to any “L” or “T” segment
of a dock or adjacent to any other part of a dock that is more 6 feet wide. The hoist shall not exceed 10
feet in width at locations specified by the department as having limited available space.
e. Display of signs. The dock site permitee shall be responsible to install and maintain a sign provided by the
DNR at the landward entrance to the dock. The end of the dock facing the water shall be marked with the DMA
name and dock number as assigned by the department. Each hoist shall also be marked with the hoist assignee’s
last name and dock site number in two inch block letters on one of the upright poles.
f. Other requirements. Standard requirements found in 16.3 (461A, 462A) shall apply to all docks in a dock
management area except certain requirements relating to property line offsets and display of information.
B. Dock management area permit restrictions and conditions. The following conditions and restrictions shall apply
to docks in a dock management area:
a. Use of dock for mooring. Only the persons named as permittees shall have use of the dock for mooring. All
vessels must be registered to the permittees and listed on the dock management permit. A dock site permit or
hoist/slip assignment may authorize an exception to allow a vessel of a tenant of the permittee’s residential unit.
b. Equitable sharing of dock costs. Permittees shall agree on the equitable sharing of the cost of construction,
installation, maintenance and removal of the dock and any other component of the dock.
c. Number of assignments allowed. Only one dock assignment may be allocated to a residence.
d. Number of hoists allowed. Each permittee may be limited to one hoist for one vessel.
e. Nontransferability of dock permits and privileges. Dock permits and hoist or slip assignments shall not be
transferred, assigned, or conveyed by the permittee to any other person.
f. Liability insurance. Prior to constructing a dock or installing hoists, the dock site permittee shall provide proof
of current liability insurance policy in the amount of $1,000,000.00. Attach a copy of the liability insurance
certificate to the permit application.
g. Winter storage of docks, catwalks and hoists on public property. Winter storage of docks, catwalks, and
hoists, shall not be allowed unless specifically authorized by a dock site permit or hoist assignment. Docks, hoist,
and catwalks shall be stored at locations determined by the state parks bureau district supervisor. A dock, catwalk,
or hoist stored on public land without authorization from the department may be removed by the department at the
owner’s expense. Winter storage will not be allowed past June 1 of each year.
h. Cancellation for nonuse. A dock site permit or hoist/slip assignment may be canceled for nonuse in order to
provide space for applicants on a waiting list.
i. Other permit restrictions and conditions apply. All restrictions and conditions in 16.19 (461A, 462A),
except subrule 16.19(3), shall apply to all docks in a dock management area.
