Marina Condos in West Palm Beach: Slip Buyer Guide

Imagine stepping from your condo elevator onto the dock and casting off within minutes. If that is your goal in West Palm Beach, the details behind marina condos matter more than the view. Slip ownership, fees, rules, and hurricane plans can vary widely from property to property. In this guide, you will learn how slip rights work, what costs to expect, what to verify locally, and how to avoid common pitfalls when you buy.

Let’s dive in.

What “marina condo” means

A marina condominium is a waterfront condo where boat slips are part of the property or offered through an affiliated marina. The fine print determines how you can use and transfer a slip. In Florida, the recorded condominium declaration, plats, and bylaws control the exact rights.

At a high level, you will see four common models in West Palm Beach:

• Deeded slip: The slip is described in the declaration or plat and transfers by deed, often appurtenant to a specific unit.
• Assigned limited common element: The slip is reserved for certain unit owners but remains part of the condo’s common property. Transfers follow the declaration.
• Lease-only slip: You lease dockage from the association or a marina operator on a monthly, annual, or multi‑year basis, with no title.
• Membership model: You purchase a club or marina membership that grants access and dockage priority rather than a deeded slip.

Florida’s condominium rules sit under the Florida Condominium Act, which outlines how associations operate and how limited common elements are handled. For statutory context, review the text of Chapter 718, Florida Statutes. Your specific rights come from the recorded declaration, deeds, and any amendments for the building you choose.

Slip ownership and your rights

Deeded or limited common element

When a slip is deeded or assigned as a limited common element to a unit, it is typically treated as real property and may be taxed. Confirm how the county assesses the slip by checking the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser. Title should show whether the slip can be sold separately or must transfer with the unit. The declaration will also spell out cost-sharing for dock maintenance, dredging, and seawalls.

Insurance is a two-part conversation. Associations often insure common dock structures, but coverage varies. You will be responsible for your vessel’s hull and liability coverage, usually with specific limits and additional insured language noted in the rules.

Lease-only slips

Lease-only arrangements can offer flexibility, but the lease controls your security. Terms may be month-to-month or multi‑year and can set renewal rights, rent escalations, and termination conditions. Lease rights typically do not transfer automatically when you sell a unit, so ask early if a buyer can assume your lease.

Expect separate dockage charges, plus metered utilities. Property taxes on the slip usually do not apply to lessees, but you will want to confirm all fees and any special assessments tied to dock projects.

Membership models

Some buildings or nearby marinas offer dockage through a membership. You might pay an initiation fee, annual dues, and variable dockage based on length overall and services used. Memberships can grant priority access and service benefits. Resale rules for memberships vary, so ask how transfer works and if pricing is capped or market-driven.

Costs beyond the purchase price

Budget for more than a unit’s list price. You will likely encounter some mix of the following costs:

• Regular dockage or membership fees and utility hookups
• Capital or special assessments for dock replacement, dredging, and seawalls
• Slip transfer or assignment fees and move-in/move-out charges
• Electricity and water metering, plus fuel or pump-out service charges
• Vessel insurance with specified liability limits and named additional insureds

Some associations fund docks and dredging through reserves. Others rely on special assessments when projects arise. Ask to see the budget, reserves, and any planned capital work before you commit.

West Palm Beach marina amenities

Marina condos in West Palm Beach and along Lake Worth Lagoon commonly offer a mix of:

• Wet slips with 30/50/100-amp shore power and potable water
• Pump‑out services and, at larger marinas, fuel docks
• Security features, including gated access, cameras, lighting, and on-site staff
• Dry storage or dry stack, launch ramps, and trailer parking in some settings
• Concierge docking and transient guest slips with reservation systems
• Resort-style condo facilities, such as pools, fitness centers, and waterfront lounges

Not every property offers every service. Confirm exactly what is included and where third-party providers fill the gaps.

Local rules and constraints to verify

Boat size, depth, and access

Slip size, channel depth at mean low water, and bridge clearances control what you can berth. West Palm Beach slips tie into the Intracoastal Waterway and Lake Worth Lagoon with ocean access through the Lake Worth Inlet. Ask for measured slip dimensions, usable depth at low tide, and the marina’s dredging history.

For navigation and depth references, review NOAA nautical charts and monitor the U.S. Coast Guard Local Notices to Mariners for updates affecting channels and bridges. For future maintenance work, you can also ask whether permits are in place for dredging or dock replacement and verify permitting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Liveaboards and rentals

Many condo associations limit or prohibit liveaboards. Short‑term rentals of units may also be restricted, and some rules limit slip use by tenants or guests. To confirm building-specific rules and any local standards, review the association documents and consult the City of West Palm Beach’s permitting and code resources via the Building Division.

Environmental and safety rules

Marinas must follow state and federal rules on fueling, pump‑out, and protection of seagrasses and shoreline areas. Boat owners are further responsible for registration and safety requirements. For a clear overview, see state boating regulations via the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and ask the association for its specific environmental policies.

Hurricane readiness matters

Hurricane procedures can make or break your experience as an owner. Most marinas have plans that require owners to remove vessels ahead of storms or to set approved storm lines. Some provide haul-out options or coordinate with nearby yards, while others leave logistics to the owner.

Ask for the written hurricane plan, any penalties for noncompliance, and a record of how the docks performed in past storms. For larger vessels, confirm if haul-out capacity is available nearby and whether you can reserve a spot during the season.

Due diligence checklist

Request these documents in writing before you tour or make an offer:

• Recorded condominium declaration, plats, and amendments that cover docks and slips
• The recorded deed for the unit plus any deed or instrument for the slip
• Current association rules, marina rules, and the hurricane plan
• Any lease for the slip, including renewal and termination history
• Association bylaws, CC&Rs, articles, financials, and the latest reserve study
• Records of recent or planned special assessments for docks, dredging, or seawalls
• Minutes of recent board meetings discussing marina or dock issues
• Association insurance policies and vessel insurance requirements
• A current slip map or plan with measured LOA, beam, and assigned location
• Dredging and permitting records for the basin and access channel

Use these sources to verify details and title:

• The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser for parcel descriptions and assessments
• The Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller land records for deeds, declarations, and plats

Smart questions to ask

Ownership and transfer

• Is the slip deeded, a limited common element, leased, or membership-based? Can it be sold separately?
• How does the slip transfer on sale? Are there transfer or assignment fees?

Fees and financial exposure

• What are the current dockage or membership fees and how do increases work?
• Are there special assessments planned for docks, dredging, or seawalls? How are projects funded?

Physical and operational constraints

• What are the exact slip dimensions and low-tide depth? What is the maximum LOA, beam, and draft allowed?
• Are there navigation restrictions or recorded easements that affect access?

Rules, insurance, and liabilities

• Are liveaboards allowed? What are the rules for unit rentals and guest slip use?
• What vessel insurance is required and what gaps exist between association and owner coverage?

Operations and emergencies

• Is there on-site marina management and security? What services are on-site versus nearby?
• What is the hurricane plan and who is responsible for haul-out or relocation?

Legal and title matters

• Are there liens, encumbrances, code actions, or litigation involving docks or the association?
• How frequently do slips change hands and at what price or lease rate?

Avoid common pitfalls

• Do not assume a “marina” label means a deeded slip. Verify the recorded declaration and any slip deed before you rely on transferability.
• Do not assume the association covers major dock work. Confirm reserves, planned projects, and the history of dredging and repairs.
• Match your boat to the slip and channel. Size, depth at low tide, and bridge clearances can limit your actual use.
• Close insurance gaps early. Understand association coverage versus your vessel’s hull and liability requirements.
• Plan for hurricane logistics. Know your removal or haul-out options and the costs during peak demand.

How to move forward with confidence

Buying a marina condo in West Palm Beach is about aligning lifestyle and logistics. When you confirm the slip’s legal status, understand the financials, and verify the operational details that affect daily use, you can enjoy the convenience you want without unwelcome surprises.

If you value a discreet, concierge process with development-aware insight, partner with a local team that treats the marina as seriously as the residence. With long-standing neighborhood expertise and on-site development experience, The Murray Group can help you evaluate slip rights, review association documents, and coordinate the right professional checks. Schedule a Private Consultation, and let’s map the clearest path to your dock and door.

FAQs

What slip ownership types exist in West Palm Beach marina condos?

• You will find deeded or limited common element slips tied to units, lease-only arrangements through an association or operator, and membership-based marina access.

How do I confirm if a condo slip is deeded or leased?

• Check the recorded declaration and plats, review deeds via the Clerk & Comptroller’s official records, and verify assessments on the Property Appraiser.

What size and depth limits should I expect on Lake Worth Lagoon?

• Limits vary by property; request measured slip LOA and beam plus depth at mean low water, and review NOAA charts and USCG Local Notices.

Are liveaboards allowed in West Palm Beach condo marinas?

• Many associations restrict or prohibit liveaboards, so confirm the condo rules and check local standards with the City’s Building Division.

What hurricane plan should a condo marina provide?

• Expect a written plan detailing vessel removal, storm line requirements, timelines, and penalties, plus historical performance and any haul-out coordination.

Do I pay separate property taxes on a deeded slip?

• Deeded or appurtenant slips may be assessed as real property; confirm tax treatment with the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and the recorded instruments.