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Beach Permits

Why do I need a permit?
Texas Natural Resources Code § 63.001 states, ‘..it is necessary to protect these dunes as provided in this chapter because stabilized, vegetated dunes offer the best natural defense against storms and are areas of significant biological diversity.’
All permits are required for any activity east of the Dune Protection Line (DPL).
The DPL is east right-of-way of Gulf Boulevard throughout most of the City limits and east right-of-way of Park Road 100 within the Shores Subdivision (see SPI Projects Map).
Only walkovers that are meant to get patrons from their property to the public beach are allowed to be built east of the Historic Building Line or the Building Setback Line (HBL). 
The HBL was established by the Texas Attorney General and is on file with the City (see SPI Projects Map).
Any activity would include building, bulk heading, filling, clearing, excavation, or substantial improvement to land or size of any structure.
If you see a potential violation, please call code enforcement at 956-761-8123.
What is a dune?  
A dune is an emergent mound, hill, or ridge of sand, either bare or vegetated, that is located on land and borders the water. They naturally form by the windward transport of sediment but can also be created via man-made vegetated mounds (TAC Title 31, Part 1, Chapter 15, Subchapter A, Rule 15.2).
Beach and Dune Application- $180 or $300
This permit is required for all construction activities east of the DPL, or any activity that impacts dunes and/or dune vegetation not already addressed by the permits mentioned below. A survey and mitigation plan must be submitted with application. Mitigation of all impacted sand and/or vegetation must be at a 1:1 ratio. 
Please contact the Shoreline Department to discuss your proposed projects so we can determine the best permitting avenue. 
This permit is required for all maintenance activities east of the DPL that can be issued without the necessary review of the General Land Office, Shoreline Task Force, and the City Council. 
Maintenance (Maintenance Activities) is defined as activities involved with repairing and/or renovating existing structures and those that do not alter or increase the foot print of existing structures, increase the impervious surface on the property, impact the public's access to or use of the beach, or adversely impact dunes and/or dune vegetation.
Maintenance activities include, but are not limited to: repairing or replacing siding, steps, roofs, windows, doors, fences, sidewalks, and landscaping. 
This permit is required for all retaining wall/walkway maintenance activities east of the DPL that can be issued without the necessary review of the General Land Office, Shoreline Task Force, and the City Council. 
Retaining Wall/Walkway Maintenance is defined as any activities that result in the raking and/or moving of debris, litter, trash and non-vegetated sand that has accumulated in designated walkways or within ten (10) feet of an established retaining wall or fence.
These activities do not include excavation, trimming or disturbance of natural dune formations or vegetation east of the DPL or the removal of sand, either temporary or permanent, from the beach/dune system within the City.
Vehicles are not allowed on the beach, but this permit allows vehicle access to the beach in coordination with permitted construction and/or property maintenance activities, as well as equipment retrieval for beach related businesses. 

After all that information, which permit do I need?