Lake LBJ dock rules: what LCRA allows for a private dock
Bottom line: Most private docks on Lake LBJ need no LCRA permit, registration or fee, as long as they are 1,500 square feet or smaller and meet LCRA's safety standards. A dock can reach no more than 50 feet from shore, and at least 40 feet of open lake must stay free. Floating docks larger than that need a permit.
In short
- No LCRA permit, registration or fee for a residential dock of 1,500 square feet or less.
- On Lake LBJ, a dock can reach no more than 50 feet from shore.
- At least 40 feet of lake access must remain open. Narrow coves allow only recessed docks.
- Every dock must meet LCRA safety standards for flotation, lighting, access and anchoring.
- City and HOA rules still apply, even when they are stricter than LCRA's.
Who regulates docks on Lake LBJ?
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) sets dock rules on the Highland Lakes, including Lake LBJ. Its rules sit in the LCRA Land and Water Use Regulations and the Safety Standards for Residential Docks on the Highland Lakes.
Your city and HOA can add their own rules on top, and you must follow both. LCRA does not settle private disputes, such as a neighbor's dock crossing your property line.
When does a dock need an LCRA permit?
| Structure | LCRA permit? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Residential dock, 1,500 sq ft or less | No permit, registration or fee | Must meet LCRA safety standards |
| Floating dock larger than 1,500 sq ft | Yes | Falls under the Highland Lakes Marina Ordinance |
| Marina | Yes | Ordinance updated May 24, 2023 |
| Floating habitable structure | Not allowed | Prohibited on the Highland Lakes |
| No-wake buoys | No permit | USCG-approved, up to 50 ft beyond your shore or dock |
How big and how far out can a dock go?
- Distance: up to 50 feet from shore on Lake LBJ.
- Open water: a dock is allowed only if at least 40 more feet of lake access stays open. In a cove narrower than 40 feet, only a recessed dock is allowed.
- Site: very shallow water, narrow coves, rocky ground or other hazards can rule a spot out.
What should a buyer check on a home with a dock?
- Land under the dock. The owner must have rights to the submerged land under a fixed dock, or under the anchors of a floating dock.
- LCRA-owned land. If the lot borders LCRA land, LCRA Real Estate Services (800-776-5272) must approve a dock over that land.
- Condition. LCRA does not allow dilapidated docks: loose structure, sinking, not floating upright or otherwise out of compliance.
- HOA rules. Ask for them early. They can limit size, color or boathouse design.
- Paperwork. Ask the seller for any dock permits, builder records and repair history.
Questions and answers
- Do I need to register my dock with LCRA?
- Not if it is a residential dock of 1,500 square feet or less. LCRA requires no permit, registration or fee for those docks, but they must meet its safety standards.
- Does LCRA inspect docks on a schedule?
- No. LCRA may inspect after a report, a complaint or a suspected violation, or when the owner asks. It can issue a notice of violation.
- Can I put no-wake buoys off my dock?
- Yes. Shoreline owners may place USCG-approved no-wake buoys up to 50 feet beyond their shore or dock without a permit.
- Can my HOA be stricter than LCRA?
- Yes. Owners must follow local and HOA rules even where those rules are stricter than LCRA's.
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Checked October 2026.