Video Summary
Does the water front property have riparian rights? Can the buyer build into the waterway for a dock or other structures? Real estate that borders on navigable waters is entitled to riparian rights or littoral rights. They’re basically the same littoral rights gave you a right to build a dock also to your rights are so that your neighbor cannot obstruct your view of the property. Your right to construct a dock is also governed by various governmental entities, as far as getting a permit. I know in Pasco county, they and various canals, they have building setback lines that extend out into the canals so that you have to comply with those. Whenever you build the dock, also you have to get if it’s a commercial dock or a very large dock, you have to get a permit from the department of environmental protection. Also when you construct the dock, you cannot obstruct your neighbors, right to access the channel or use the waterways. Speaking of the water, everyone has a right to public. Everyone has a right to, float their boat or to swim in the water. And that’s something that the right and the public that is held by the state. So someone can float their boat right up next to your dock. And if they can get in the water and it’s navigable, they can use the water and you can’t do anything about it. So those are some of your riparian rights, particularly when it comes to building a dock, you need to be sure you get your permits involved and you don’t want to build something that blocks your neighbor’s view or their access to the channel. If you have any questions about riparian rights, you can call me at (727) 847-2288.