(a) Purpose and intent.
(1) The purpose of this section is to regulate the construction and use of residential docks, piers and boathouses (structure) to ensure the preservation of water quality, habitat and the natural and scenic beauty of Lake Worth as well as provide for the health and safety of its citizens and visitors.
(2) A person who wishes to construct or improve a residential structure or walkway must have a valid water use and access easement for Lake Worth executed and granted by the City of Fort Worth.
(3) Commercial structures and slips will require a special exception from the board of adjustment. The board of adjustment shall consider whether the proposal will affect the water quality, habitat and the natural and scenic beauty of Lake Worth or the health and safety of its citizens and visitors.
(b) Size and setback limitations.
(1) a. One structure is permitted per property, and the maximum size of any structure shall be as follows:
Shoreline Frontage (linear feet) | Maximum Structure Size (square feet) |
Up to 80 feet | 1,000 square feet |
81 feet or more | Linear feet of shoreline x 15 Not to exceed 1,600 square feet |
b. The area measured is to be the largest area at the end of a walkway. The largest area may be either the outside corners of the structure or the roofline if it has more than a two-foot overhang.
(2) One walkway, not to exceed six feet in width, shall be excluded in the square footage calculation of the structure. If, however, the walkway exceeds six feet in width, the difference shall count towards the maximum allowed square footage of the structure. No walkway shall be allowed in excess of eight feet in width or to extend to more than one structure. The distance the walkway and the structure extend into the reservoir shall be kept as short a distance as is practical so as not to impair navigation and to maintain continuity with the shoreline.
(3) The minimum setback of a structure from a projected side yard line (Exhibit 1) shall be based on the width of the property at the lakefront property line as follows:
Shoreline Frontage (linear feet) | Setback (feet) |
Up to 50 feet | 5 feet |
51—100 feet | 10% of shoreline frontage |
101 feet or more | 10 feet |
(4) Structures may extend:
a. To a point 100 feet from the lakefront property line into the waters of Lake Worth regardless of the depth of the water at that point; or
b. 1. To the point at which the elevation of the land lying under Lake Worth is not less than 584 feet above mean sea level, but in no case more than 200 feet from the lakefront property line into the water of Lake Worth. (See Exhibit 1.)
2. The depth shall be determined by the City of Fort Worth.
Exhibit 1
(6) No structure shall occupy more than one-third of the cove width and in no case shall be located within ten feet of the centerline of the cove. (See Exhibit 2.)
Exhibit 2
(7) A structure will be permitted without an existing residential use on the property.
(8) Where large undivided tracts or multiple lots are used to determine the maximum area of a structure, the linear footage of shoreline for the combined area shall be set aside and cannot be used for the future determination of the size of other structures. With multiple lots, the primary residence must cross over the center lot line(s) by at least one foot in order for more than one lot width to be counted in determining the maximum area of a structure.
(c) Enclosures and storage.
(1) Enclosed structures are prohibited. To protect a raised boat within a structure from the elements, solid sides on the structure will be permitted at a maximum of four feet measured downward from the point where the ceiling joist meets the top plate. No additional materials may be installed below the four-foot sidewalls.
(2) Structures shall be limited to two stories. A sundeck over the dock shall not count towards the maximum dock size. Any area under a permanent roof of the second level will be counted in the dock size measurement. If, due to topography, the peak of the second level roof is lower than the foundation of the primary house, then the maximum dock size may be increased by 50%. The floor of the lower deck shall be no less than the 596-foot elevation, which does not apply to floating docks.
(3) A maximum storage area of 48 square feet shall be allowed on the first floor (lower deck) of a structure. The design of the storage area shall be such that it does not close off any more than 50% of any wall length, maintaining the required openness required in subsection (c)(1) above. Products considered hazardous material or any material which has a warning label prohibiting its use or storage near water and/or public water supplies may not be stored in the storage area.
(d) Special exception. Requests for greater dock sizes, smaller setbacks and enclosures may be permitted as a special exception by the board of adjustment.
(Ord. 19515-01-2011, § 1, passed 1-4-2011)