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Permissible Dock Styles for Current and Build-Out Scenario
Docks are made up of various parts. By changing the relative size, design, number, and placement of docks, the communities can change the impact on a water body and surrounding environment. The table below shows the dock parts or features that make up this scenario. If the terminology is confusing, see the parts of a dock interactive graphic.
| Dock Features | Existing Dock Styles Used | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Dock | Community Dock | Common Dock | |
| Dock Size Requirements | |||
| Average Size of Dock: | Not specified, but combination of requirements indicate 490 sq ft | Not specified, but has same requirements as individual dock; 490 sq ft | Unknown |
| Total Area / Size Limit: | None defined; use instead combination of length and width requirements | No max size set, but cannot be greater than the mooring field that would have been permitted as individual docks | |
| Length: | 100 ft from landward edge of the salt marsh or 100 ft beyond mean high tide | ||
| Depth: | Min depth at end of dock at mean low water = 3 ft. Depth below all floating portions of dock = 3 ft. | Min depth at end of dock at mean low water = 3 ft. | |
| Height: | There is no height requirement. However, lateral access may not be impeded by a dock. Nor may vegetation be harmed or coastal banks eroded. Town's regulations recommend a raised walkway for all dock styles. | ||
| Float Size: | The end of the dock, whether fixed or floating, may be "T" or "L" shaped. Max 100 sq ft. All floats must be in at least 3 ft of water at mean low tide. | No float size restrictions are given | |
| Walkway Width: | Neither the state or town regulations specify a max width. The town's typical widths are 4 ft while state regulations recommend a max width of 3 ft. | ||
| Walkway Support Style: | While no support style (e.g., double pilings) is mandated, neither is any support style (e.g., mono piles) prohibited. | ||
| Walkway Support Size: | Support sizes are not specified in the town's regulations, but town specifies that CCA-treated lumber may not be used in constructing a dock. | ||
| Handrail Style: | None specified in regulations. Built docks vary from none to ropes to use of large board handrails. | ||
| Dock Placement & Sharing | |||
| Allowed in Resource Conservation Areas? | These dock styles are not allowed in the resource conservation areas as defined in this project. The town's regulations do designate "resource areas." However, the designation "resource area" simply means the area is regulated under the Falmouth Wetland Bylaw (FWB). Resource areas include:
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| Setback: | A 10 ft setback is required from property line. See Setback and Lengths Explained. | No setback required | |
| Maximum Owners Sharing: | No sharing | Not specified, ownership belongs to homeowners' association having rights in the open space parcel where dock is. | No max, but must serve adjacent lots |
| Minimum Owners Sharing: | None | None because owned by homeowners' association | Min of two owners |
| Boat Requirements | |||
| Size Restriction: | None | Dinghies or small rowboats with a max engine size 9 horsepower | None |
| Slips Per Dock: | One slip | None; dinghies only may be tied here. | Unspecified |
| Mooring Buoys Per Dock: | None | None; moorings are permitted separately by harbor master. | None |
