Dock repair and expansions
Many Smith Mountain Lake docks were built decades ago, before today's rules. Here's what wears out and when a repair turns into a permit.
Lake homes here have been changing hands since the lake filled in the 1960s, and plenty of docks show their age. Sun, freeze and thaw, and boat wakes all take a toll on decking, framing and roofs. Many problems can be fixed without starting over, as long as the structure underneath is sound.
Signs your dock needs work
- Soft, cracked or loose deck boards
- Pilings that are leaning, split or rotting at the waterline
- A floating section riding low or tilting
- Roof panels, trusses or posts that are damaged or loose
- A walkway that sags or pulls at the shore connection
- Breakers or GFCIs on the dock that trip often
Repair or expansion?
Like-for-like repairs are one thing. Making a dock bigger, adding slips, or extending a roof past the deck is another: an expansion needs an Appalachian Power permit, and the application has to include photographs of the existing structure and drawings of the existing and proposed conditions. The expanded dock has to meet the current plan's size, reach and setback limits.
What about docks built before 2003?
Docks built before August 31, 2003 fall under a legacy program in the Shoreline Management Plan, with their own construction and permit timelines. If you own an older dock and are thinking about changes, ask Appalachian Power how its legacy rules apply before you plan the work.
Common repairs
- Re-decking with wood, composite or aluminum on a sound frame
- Piling and framing repair at damaged members and connections
- Float replacement under floating sections or walkways
- Roof repair to panels, trusses and posts
- Reflectors added or replaced on the outer edges
Buying or selling a lake home?
Dock permits have to be formally assigned to the new owner through an application, and failing to do it can lead to revocation. Appalachian Power won't assign a permit until any compliance problems are fixed, so a builder's look at the dock before closing can save a surprise.
Pricing comes from the builder after a look at your lot, your shoreline and what's already there. We don't quote prices, and anything said over the phone before a site visit is only a ballpark.
Where we connect you with help
- Moneta
- Huddleston and the dam end
- Hardy and the Roanoke River end
- Union Hall and the Franklin County shore
Common questions
Do I need a permit to replace deck boards?
Ask Appalachian Power about your specific job. Expanding the dock or extending the roof past the structure needs a permit, and the county may require a building permit for structural work.
Does a permit assignment need a new survey?
Appalachian Power says assigning an Occupancy and Use Permit doesn't require a survey. Legacy permits may differ, so check with the shoreline office.
Related services
- New boat docks
- Boathouses and covered docks
- Boat lifts and PWC lifts
- Riprap and shoreline stabilization
More background: Smith Mountain Lake dock permit guide.
Planning a new dock, a boathouse or a lift for the new boat?
Call now and a dock builder who works on Smith Mountain Lake will call you back to talk through your lot and the Appalachian Power permit.