Monroe County.
Start with the parcel.

Confirm jurisdiction before opening an application

Give the local office the parcel ID and address. Monroe County lists Key Largo and Ocean Reef offices; Islamorada operates its own Building Services and CityView portal. A subdivision or private-community approval does not replace the government process.

Monroe County Building and Permitting · Monroe County Ocean Reef office · Islamorada Building Services

For a county project, use OPAL

County applications and documents go through Oracle Permitting and Licensing. Register the people who need to access the application and follow the county’s digital document instructions. Keep one version-controlled set of plans for responses to reviewer comments.

Monroe County OPAL applications

Which county team handles the next question?

Start with the records checklist if you are still assembling the waterfront history. A focused request is easier to route than a general question about whether the property is “all clear.”

OPAL support and inspections · Monroe County public-record requests

Research an existing wall across both systems

MCeSearch covers the county’s 1987–September 2022 permit history. Newer active, completed and expired records have separate links. Request the marine plans and inspection status when a search result alone does not answer the question.

Monroe County permit record systems

Outside approvals may control the start date

The county’s 2022 Notice to Proceed handout distinguishes issuance from authorization to begin where state or federal approvals are conditions. DEP’s Marathon branch handles Monroe regulatory programs; NOAA separately reviews nearshore sanctuary impacts.

Notice To Proceed Instructional Handout (Internet Archive copy) · DEP Southeast District Marathon branch · Florida Keys sanctuary nearshore construction

How do you check the project reached permit closeout?

For newer permits, Monroe County describes completed status with a Certificate of Occupancy or Completion attached. If you do not see the expected status, contact Building about the remaining steps.

Save the final plan revision, permit result and construction handover in the property folder. Keep the provider’s warranty and future maintenance advice alongside them; those documents serve a different purpose from county completion records.

Monroe County inspection and permit closeout

Public canal work is a different kind of project

The county canal restoration program addresses water quality and restoration methods. Do not assume that a listed canal project includes a homeowner’s seawall, that historical study results describe today’s water quality, or that public funding pays for a private repair. Ask for the exact project limits and current status.

Monroe County canal restoration program

Use the waterfront context

The Upper Keys area guides connect named neighborhoods and islands with local drainage, canal, access and habitat questions. For a complete approval checklist, continue to seawall permits. Upper Keys Seawall is not affiliated with the county or Village.

Official permit resources