BOARD OF PORT WARDENS
The Board of Port Wardens governs all matters concerning new construction over or next to water in the Town of Ocean City. For example: boat lifts, piers, docks, bulkheads, and floating docks all must have a Port Warden application submitted and then a case created to be heard in front of our appointed Board at determined monthly meetings at City Hall. Once approval and recommendations have been met, a separate building permit application must be submitted before the start of construction.
The Board of Port Wardens shall, at the direction of the Mayor and City Council, conduct projects and investigations with regard to the shorelines and waterways of Ocean City and make specific recommendations to the Mayor and City Council with regard to such shorelines and waterways.
Here is the link to our specific code; 106.31 – 106.44
Note: Any marine construction that is replacing in kind (ex. Boat lift) with a previous Port Warden case may not need to go in front of the Board of Port Wardens. This is subject to approval from the Building Department.
Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of every month at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland.