Boathouses and covered docks
Shade over the boat and a deck above the water are what most Lake Martin owners want. Alabama Power's guidelines shape how much of it can be enclosed.
A covered slip protects the boat from sun and storms, and a second level gives you a place to sit above the water. On Lake Martin, boathouses can be roomy, but they're meant to stay open. The guidelines control enclosure, storage, levels and materials rather than setting a specific height limit.
What can be enclosed?
- Covered, roofed structures have to be open and can't be walled in.
- One exterior side can be partly walled for an approved storage area.
- That storage has to be on the end closest to the shoreline, not counting the walkway.
- Walled storage in the flood easement has to be elevated above the flood storage area or vented, and may need an engineer's certification.
- Pavilions and gazebos can have screening on the outside walls but can't be otherwise enclosed.
How many levels can I have?
No more than two levels of accessible flooring. A typical layout puts the slips and storage on the lower level and an open deck or covered sitting area above. The roof and siding have to be non-reflective.
Can I add a bathroom or kitchen?
No habitable fixtures are allowed: toilets, sinks, showers and bathtubs are all out. Living in a permitted structure isn't allowed without Alabama Power's written authorization.
Size still counts
A boathouse falls under the same 1,510-square-foot and 62-foot limits as any other structure on the lot, with walkways of 6 feet wide or less excluded from the area. A roomy upper level means less room for other structures, so builders usually sketch the whole shoreline plan at once.
Electrical
For service from the power lines to the meter, Alabama Power directs owners to their electric utility; for problems with metered service, a licensed electrician. Lights, outlets and lift motors on a boathouse should be wired and checked by a licensed electrician.
The builder prices the job after seeing your lot, the water in front of it and any structure that's already there. We don't quote prices, and a number given before a site visit is only a rough guess.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Is there a height limit for boathouses on Lake Martin?
The residential guidelines don't list a specific height limit, but they cap structures at two levels of accessible flooring and require non-reflective materials.
Can I enclose the upper deck with screens?
Covered structures have to stay open. Screening is allowed for pavilions and gazebos; ask Alabama Power how it applies to your design before building.
Related services
More background: Lake Martin dock permit guide.
Want the dock done before summer pool comes back?
Call now and a dock builder who works on Lake Martin will call you back to talk through your lot, the drawdown and the Alabama Power permit.