Bulkhead Height Requirements by Town: Brigantine to Ocean City
Updated 2026-09-25 · JP Williams Construction LLC
The short answer
Most South Jersey shore towns now set a minimum top elevation for bay and lagoon bulkheads, roughly 7 to 9 feet NAVD88. Ocean City requires 7.0 ft, Margate and Ventnor 8.0 ft, and Atlantic City 8.5 ft. New and replacement bulkheads, and in some towns larger repairs, must be built to at least that height.
What are the bulkhead height requirements in each town?
These are the minimum top-of-bulkhead elevations for bay, lagoon, and canal (non-oceanfront) bulkheads, based on each town’s code as of 2026:
| Town | Bay / lagoon minimum | Oceanfront | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brigantine | 9 ft (code states “above mean sea level”) | 11 ft north of the Absecon Inlet jetty | Confirm the datum with the borough |
| Atlantic City | 8.5 ft NAVD88 | — | Changes need City Engineer approval |
| Ventnor | 8.0 ft NAVD88 (9.0 ft max) | 10.5 ft NAVD88 | Low walls must be raised with major work |
| Margate | 8.0 ft NAVD88 | 13.0 ft NAVD88 | Applies to repairs of $10,000+ |
| Ocean City | 7.0 ft NAVD88 | 11.0 ft NAVD88 | No barge work in July & August |
| Absecon | No bulkhead elevation ordinance found | — | Flood Damage Prevention rules apply |
What does “NAVD88” mean?
NAVD88 (the North American Vertical Datum of 1988) is the reference surveyors use to measure elevation. A bulkhead at “8.0 ft NAVD88” has its top 8 feet above that reference, not 8 feet above your lawn or the water. Your engineer or surveyor will shoot the existing grade and the old wall so you know how much higher the new one needs to be.
Do I have to raise my bulkhead if I’m only repairing it?
It depends on the town and the size of the job. Margate applies its minimum elevation to new bulkheads, replacements, and repairs costing $10,000 or more (cumulative). Ventnor requires existing bulkheads below the minimum to be brought up to it with new construction, substantial improvement or damage, or a house raising. Small, routine repairs usually aren’t affected, but check before you start.
Why are towns raising bulkheads?
Tidal flooding. When a storm stacks water in the back bay, it comes over low bulkheads and floods streets and yards. A continuous line of walls at a consistent height keeps that water out. Margate, for example, rebuilt about 1,250 feet of city-owned bulkhead at elevation 8 in 2019 as part of its flood-prevention work.
How does a higher bulkhead affect cost?
Raising the wall means longer sheets, a taller cap, and more backfill to bring your yard up behind it, so it adds to the per-foot price. See our bulkhead cost guide for typical ranges.
Common questions
How high does a bulkhead have to be in Margate, NJ?
Margate requires a minimum top elevation of 8.0 ft NAVD88 for bayfront, canal, and lagoon bulkheads and 13.0 ft for beachfront bulkheads.
How high does a bulkhead have to be in Ocean City, NJ?
Ocean City requires a minimum of 7.0 ft NAVD88 for non-oceanfront bulkheads and 11.0 ft for oceanfront bulkheads.
What is the bulkhead height requirement in Ventnor?
Ventnor requires non-oceanfront bulkheads between 8.0 and 9.0 ft NAVD88 (unless adjacent grade is higher) and 10.5 ft for oceanfront.
Is this the final word on my property?
No — ordinances change. Always confirm the current requirement with your town’s construction office or engineer before you design a new wall.
Sources
Ready to talk about your project? Learn more about our bulkheads service in Brigantine and the South Jersey shore, or request a free estimate — call (609) 573-0610.