Property condition & permits
Davie Homes With Canal Frontage: Easements and Maintenance
Quick answer
In Davie, many canals are drainage canals managed by a water control district, not boating waterways. Before buying, check the survey for a canal maintenance easement, find out which district manages that canal, and ask what you can and can't put near the bank — fences, docks, landscaping. Then inspect the bank and any seawall, and check the flood zone.
Secondary canal easements and primary flood-control rights of way
The CBWCD canal maintenance easement form provides for ingress, egress and access to an adjacent canal, including traversing the eased area with equipment. It is a model document, not evidence that this form or a particular width is recorded on your Davie lot. Obtain the executed easement, exhibits and related maintenance agreement from title records and confirm the canal manager.
SFWMD’s right-of-way guidance explains that trees, shrubs, fences and other objects can obstruct canal maintenance and flood control. SFWMD maintains the regional primary system; local districts such as CBWCD manage parts of the secondary network. Do not assume every Davie canal belongs to CBWCD or that local permission replaces SFWMD authorization.
Before planting, fencing, adding a dock or changing the bank, submit the proposed location and survey to the entity controlling that easement. Ask about access clearance and applicable occupancy permits. Some uses may be compatible with permission; others may need removal. Neither a neighbor’s fence nor the seller’s maintenance habit establishes the governing rule for your property.
Who controls the canal?
Find the water control or drainage district that manages the canal behind the house. Their rules can limit fences, docks, trees and fill near the bank, and they may need access for maintenance.
What to check
| Item | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance easement | Survey, title commitment | Limits use of the rear yard |
| Bank or seawall condition | Inspector / marine contractor | Erosion repair can be costly |
| Flood zone | FEMA Flood Map Service Center | Insurance and lender requirements |
| Dock or structure permits | Town and district records | May need approval to keep or rebuild |
Questions for the seller
- Has the bank been repaired or reshaped?
- Have you had any notices from the district?
- Is the dock or fence permitted?
- Has water ever reached the house?
Safety around water
If you have young children or plan a pool, think about fencing along the canal. Check district rules first.
Related Mora Realty Davie pages
Sources
- CBWCD canal maintenance easement form — Model ingress/egress and equipment access rights; actual recorded instrument controls
- SFWMD keeping canal right of way clear — Maintenance access and planting/fencing encroachment guidance