The importance of bulkhead maintenance

Please regularly inspect your dock, bulkhead, and retaining walls. Per the State Waterboard and City Municipal Code, once land erodes from a property, the owner is not allowed to backfill it. 

All proposed bulkheads – repair or new construction – must be located in the same location as existing. In cases where no bulkhead exists, the proposed bulkhead must be located at the summer high tide water line where it makes contact with dry land. 

Lagoon property owners / tenants are not permitted to fill, dig out, or build on BLPOA property. Please do not add sand to the lagoon to attempt to cover the bottom, and do not add any permanent or floating dock or structure. 

Existing encroachments on BLPOA property are allowed as long as they were identified in the aerial map / property line survey from August 1999, and provided the structures are maintained in good working condition. They may also be subject to additional conditions listed in the January 2023 BLPOA Board encroachment resolution. 

Construction is allowed on lagoon waters that are part of the homeowner's property, provided the homeowner receives the City-required BLPOA Letter of Permission for Design Review (email to request), the City’s building permit, and a property boundary survey, if required.  

Consider seasonal water levels when you construct docks, lagoon bulkheads, and other structures near the lagoon. Allow for fluctuation in water levels and for the maintenance team to do periodic dredging without damaging the structure. 

Regardless of the scope of the project, if you are planning work near the lagoon, please contact the BLPOA. This is particularly important for sanding, staining, painting, dock repair or replacement. The maintenance team can deploy a water boom and provide oil-absorbent pads free of charge to help keep the lagoon water clean.