Boat Lifts and PWC Lifts on Smith Lake: What Alabama Power Allows
Adding a boat lift or a PWC lift on Smith Lake means working inside Alabama Power's dock rules. The Smith Lake guidelines let an owner have up to two PWC floats or lifts outside the dock's square-foot limit, count a third against it, and require a permit for anything built in the lakebed. This page covers those rules, the fees, the float condition in the Corps permit, and what a 14-foot winter drop means for a lift.
The PWC rule
Alabama Power's Smith Lake guidelines (revised July 15, 2025) say a "Permittee may be allowed up to two PWC (i.e., personal watercraft) floats or lifts (or one of each)," and that "A third or more PWC float or lift counts against the allowable square footage allotment." That allotment is the 1,444 square feet of structures each permitted lot can have. So two PWC lifts or floats can be added without eating into the dock's square footage, and a third starts to.
"May be allowed" matters: Alabama Power still approves each one, and lots with less than 100 linear feet of shoreline "may be restricted or may not be eligible for structures."
Boat lifts
The guidelines name PWC floats and lifts specifically. For a full-size boat lift, whether in a slip or freestanding, ask the Smith Lake Shoreline Management Office (205-384-7385) how it counts toward your 1,444 square feet and whether it changes the dock's footprint or its 92-foot length limit.
Permits and fees for lifts
- A new lift: new structures in the lakebed go through Alabama Power. Expect the $400 General Construction Fee for new shoreline construction, and confirm with the office.
- Lift repair: repair "of a substantial degree" pays the $200 General Repair Fee. Painting and pressure washing are the only work Alabama Power's permits page lists as not needing a permit.
- Changing an application: the $100 Permit Modification Fee.
- Floats: the Army Corps' programmatic permits for Alabama Power reservoirs require that "All floats (existing and proposed) shall be encased or closed cell," which includes PWC floats.
See the permit guide for the application steps.
A lift and a 14-foot swing
Smith Lake runs near 510 feet in summer and heads toward a winter pool near 496 feet, by Alabama Power's figures. A lift mounted to a floating dock moves with the dock; anything fixed to the bottom or to the shore has to work across that range or be out of use part of the year. Before you buy, ask how the lift will be mounted, how it behaves at winter pool, and how much water it needs under the boat. See winter drawdown.
What lifts cost
We found no published boat lift or PWC lift prices for Smith Lake or Alabama. Quotes: [PRICE]. Add Alabama Power's fee where it applies.
Questions to ask before buying a lift
- Does this lift need an Alabama Power permit, and who files it?
- Does it count toward my 1,444 square feet or change the dock's length?
- How is it mounted, and how will it work at winter pool?
- Are any floats encased or closed cell?
- What is the weight rating, and does it suit my boat with fuel and gear?
Lift questions
How many PWC lifts can I have on Smith Lake?
Alabama Power may allow up to two PWC floats or lifts, or one of each, outside the square-foot allotment. A third counts against it.
Do I need a permit to replace a worn-out lift with the same model?
Probably, as a repair or replacement in the lakebed. Ask the shoreline office whether it's treated as a $200 repair.
Can a lift go on a lot with under 100 feet of shoreline?
Such lots "may be restricted or may not be eligible for structures." Ask Alabama Power about your lot.
How this site helps
Call (205) 880-2401 or send a request, and we'll pass it to one independent local contractor who works on Smith Lake. Contractors are responsible for their own licensing, insurance, permits, pricing and warranties.
Adding a lift?
Tell us about your dock and your boat, and we'll pass it to one independent local contractor who works on Smith Lake.