Dock permits
The 10,615 cap, five-year terms, fees and how replacements are approved.
Learn more →
Know the number before the builder comes out
Boat Docks on Lake Lanier: Prices, Permits & One Local Quote
Get a planning price for your dock in a minute, read the Corps rules without the jargon, then hear from one Lanier dock builder. Free, no obligation.
- Built to the Corps' Shoreline Management Plan
- Honest planning ranges, clearly labelled
- One builder, not a bidding war
A covered dock and slips on the lake.
The 60-second cost estimator
Let's ballpark your dock.
Make a few selections for a ballpark installed cost. No contact information needed.
Simple by design
Here's how it works.
From a rough number to a real quote, without filling your phone with sales calls.
STEP 01
Price it
Pick a dock type and the size your permit allows. See a planning range right away.
STEP 02
Send your request
Tell us about your cove, your boat and your timing. It takes about a minute.
STEP 03
One local dock builder calls
One local dock builder reviews it, checks your permit and site, and gives you a firm quote.
One request. One local company. We never sell your details to a list.
Straightforward pricing
What does a dock cost on Lanier?
Lanier builders price every dock to its permit, so none post prices. These planning ranges come from national guides, scaled to Lanier's sizes.
| Dock type | Planning range | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Open dock + swim platform | $15,000–50,000 | Attached deck capped at 192 sq ft |
| Single slip, covered | $28,000–68,000 | One slip under a roof |
| Double slip, covered | $34,000–85,000 | Slips share a 20×28 ft allowance |
| Covered with upper sundeck | $45,000–110,000 | Rails all round; no second roof |
Planning estimates, November 2026, from national guides (Fixr) scaled to Lanier dock sizes. Lifts, power, decking upgrades and removal are extra.
Find your fit
Every Lanier dock runs through the Corps.
Start with the question you actually have.
Dock cost
Planning ranges by type and size, plus lifts, power, decking and removal.
Learn more →Lake levels
From the 2007 record low to high-water weeks: what it means for your dock.
Learn more →Buying with a dock
Why the permit doesn't transfer, and what to check before closing.
Learn more →Lanier is a Corps lake
No new permits. Lots of old docks.
The Corps capped Lake Lanier at 10,615 private docks, and new permits have been closed for years. That makes the dock you already have, and its permit, worth protecting. Replacing it means new plans for your area ranger; a size change means a permit action. How permits work.
Your next step
Get one firm quote.
Ready for an actual price? Tell us what you're considering. We'll send your request to one local, insured dock builder, not a marketplace of salespeople.
No cost to request a quote
Your details go to one dock builder
No obligation to hire
Lake Lanier Dock Builders is a referral service, not the company doing the work. We may be paid by the dock builder if we refer your project. You pay us nothing.
Request received. Thank you!
One local dock builder will reach out within 1 business day.
Keep an eye on your preferred contact method.
Before you build
Permits, rules & who to call
Permits: issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers for up to five years. They don't transfer when a home sells; the new owner applies.
Size: up to 32×32 ft; slips up to 20×28 in total; attached deck up to 192 sq ft; open sides only.
Changes: talk to your area ranger before any replacement or upgrade. Corps Lanier office: 770-945-9531.
Read the full guide →Good questions
Frequently asked questions.
What does a new boat dock cost on Lake Lanier?
For most replacement docks, plan on roughly $30,000–110,000 installed. An open dock with a swim deck can start near $15,000; a full 32×32 covered dock with an upper sundeck sits at the top. These are our planning estimates from national guides (Fixr); no Lanier builder publishes prices.
Can I still get a new dock permit on Lake Lanier?
Almost certainly not. The Shoreline Management Plan caps private docks at 10,615 and says no new requests are taken once that number is reached (2004 SMP, §12). In 2016 the chief ranger said none were available. A permit only frees up when an existing one isn't reissued; the Corps checks each March and calls the next name on its waiting list (Q&A with Ranger Noe).
Does the dock permit transfer when I buy a house on Lanier?
No. The plan says permits are non-transferable and become void when the property is sold. The buyer tells the Operations Manager's office and applies for a permit in their own name (SMP §15.1). The dock's electrical service must be recertified at a change of ownership (§15.3.10).
How much is the Corps dock permit fee?
From 2006 to 2019 it was $400 for a new five-year permit and $175 to renew. In 2019 the Corps announced a flat $835 for both (Forsyth News), then delayed the increase after Georgia's congressmen objected (Rep. Loudermilk). Ask the Lanier office for today's fee before you budget.
How big can my dock be?
Up to 32 ft by 32 ft overall, and no smaller than 18 by 24 with a 10 by 20 slip. All slips together can't exceed 20 ft wide by 28 ft long, and an attached deck is capped at 192 sq ft inside that footprint (SMP §15.3.1). Your permit may set a smaller size.
Can I put an upper sundeck on my dock?
Yes, within the rules. The roof deck needs a continuous rail 36–48 in high with a mid-rail, the roof pitch can't exceed 3 in 12, and you can't add a second roof or a room on top (SMP §15.3.5). Adding one changes your dock, so talk to your area ranger first.
Can I replace my old dock with a new one the same size?
Yes. For a same-size replacement, the Lake Lanier Association says your area ranger reviews new dock plans; a change in size needs a permit action and a new plan. Either way the ranger gives you a disposal form for the old dock (LLA).
What kind of floats are allowed under a dock?
Floats made for marine use, warranted for at least 8 years against sinking, waterlogging, cracking and shedding beads, and fire resistant. Plastic or metal drums are banned, and failed floats must be replaced (SMP §15.3.2).