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seawall design & seawall permits
Seawall Design & Seawall Permits
"The terms bulkhead and seawall are often used interchangeably. However, a bulkhead is primarily intended to retain or prevent sliding of the land, while protecting the upland area against wave action is of secondary importance. Seawalls, on the other hand, are more massive structures whose primary purpose is interception of waves." Source: US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Manual, Design of Coastal Revetments, Seawalls, and Bulkheads (30 June 1995).
Although most waterfront retaining walls in Connecticut are technically bulkheads, because seawall is the more commonly understood term, we use the terms interchangeably.
Shore Design provides professional seawall design and seawall permit services in Connecticut. Waterfront development, like seawall construction and seawall repairs, is highly regulated in Connecticut by state (DEEP), federal (Army Corps), and local (cities, towns, associations) governments. Most seawall and bulkhead construction projects involve repairing or replacing existing structures because building a new seawall where one did not previously exist is discouraged by laws, regulations, and policies. Where seawall and bulkhead projects are permissible, they require special design and permits that must satisfy the owner's goals of stabilizing the property while protecting coastal resources, minimizing encroachment into public waters, and avoiding conflicts with flood management requirements. Seawall and bulkhead construction or repairs can begin once all coastal permits have been issued.
Shore Design specializes in developing designs for a variety of seawalls and bulkheads, and obtaining the necessary coastal permits. Details about typical seawall and bulkhead designs and the different permits are provided on this page.
Please drop us a line if you have ideas to share, questions to ask, or a project to discuss.
Stone Bulkhead on Tidal River
seawall designs
Stone Seawall
Stone Masonry Seawall
Stone Masonry Seawall
Many coastal and waterfront properties in Connecticut are protected at the water's edge by a natural stone seawall. This type of construction is durable, resilient, and allows good drainage. However, many of these older seawalls have shallow and/or insufficient foundations or footings that are prone to settling over time, leading to erosion of upland soils. Repairing, reconstructing, or replacing stone seawalls can be approved by one of DEEP's coastal permits for existing structures.
Stone Masonry Seawall
Stone Masonry Seawall
Stone Masonry Seawall
Many coastal and waterfront properties in Connecticut are protected at the water's edge by a stone masonry seawall. These seawalls are constructed of stone and mortar and are aesthetically pleasing. However, this type of construction is prone to loss of mortar and stones in the harsh marine environment, requiring yearly maintenance. Repairing, reconstructing, or replacing stone masonry seawalls can be approved by one of DEEP's coastal permits for existing structures.
Concrete Seawall
Stone Masonry Seawall
Concrete Seawall
Many coastal and waterfront properties in Connecticut are protected at the water's edge by a concrete seawall. These seawalls are constructed of reinforced (reinforcing bar or rebar) concrete with subgrade reinforced concrete footings. However, this type of construction can be prone to failure if there is insufficient landside drainage or the footing is too shallow. Repairing, reconstructing, or replacing concrete seawalls can be approved by one of DEEP's coastal permits for existing structures.
Timber Bulkhead
Timber Bulkhead
Concrete Seawall
Some coastal and waterfront properties in Connecticut are protected at the water's edge by a wood or timber bulkhead. These bulkheads are constructed of pressure treated wood members and piles that are relatively economical, readily available, and easy to handle. However, this type of construction is prone to rot over time. Repairing, reconstructing, or replacing timber bulkheads can be approved by one of DEEP's coastal permits for existing structures.
Steel Bulkhead
Timber Bulkhead
Steel Bulkhead
Some coastal and waterfront properties in Connecticut are protected at the water's edge by a steel sheet pile bulkhead. This type of construction is durable and resilient, and can be driven into hard, dense soils. However, because steel is prone to corrosion over time, it is wise to consider protective coatings or cathodic protection systems. Repairing, reconstructing, or replacing steel bulkheads can be approved by one of DEEP's coastal permits for existing structures.
seawall permits - three levels of government
STATE: CT DEEP
FEDERAL: Army Corps
FEDERAL: Army Corps
The State of Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (CT-DEEP; DEEP), Land and Water Resource Division (LWRD), is the lead state agency responsible for regulating work and issuing seawall permits in tidal waters and tidal wetland vegetation. Shore Design understands the DEEP seawall permitting process and can help navigate this important step in the approval process.
FEDERAL: Army Corps
FEDERAL: Army Corps
FEDERAL: Army Corps
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District (aka USACE, ACOE, NAE, Army Corps) is the lead federal agency responsible for regulating seawalls in waters of the United States, which often covers the same jurisdiction as the CT-DEEP. Shore Design understands the Army Corps seawall permitting process and can help navigate this important step in the approval process
LOCAL: City/Town
FEDERAL: Army Corps
LOCAL: City/Town
Cities, town, and some associations in Connecticut often regulate seawalls through coastal site plan approvals, which are types of zoning permits. In addition, some municipalities require building permits. These local approvals typically come after state and federal coastal permits have been issued. Because seawall permitting requirements vary across municipalities, it is a good practice to confirm if approvals are required by reviewing the current zoning regulations and/or consulting directly with the land use department. Shore Design understands local seawall permitting and can navigate this final step in the approval process.