Regional guide · North Carolina
Bulkheads & Seawalls on North Carolina's Southeastern Coast
Bulkheads in Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach and Brunswick County: tides, Hurricane Florence, CAMA permits, the oceanfront hardening ban and estuarine options.
Last reviewed by the Bulkhead Walls Editorial Team
Overview
On North Carolina's southeastern coast, bulkheads are used on estuarine and Intracoastal Waterway shorelines, while permanent hardened structures are generally prohibited on the oceanfront. Mean tides are about 4 feet. CAMA permits from the Division of Coastal Management's Wilmington office or a local permit officer commonly apply, along with Corps review.
- Communities covered
- Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Southport, Oak Island, Brunswick County, New Hanover County
- Waterbodies
- Cape Fear River, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Masonboro Sound, Lockwood Folly River, Shallotte River, Atlantic Ocean
- Water types
- saltwater, brackish, tidal
Key local considerations
- NOAA datums show a mean tide range of about 4.0 feet at Wrightsville Beach and about 4.2 to 4.3 feet at Southport and Wilmington.
- North Carolina generally prohibits permanent shoreline stabilization devices such as seawalls on the oceanfront.
- Estuarine bulkheads, riprap revetments and marsh sills can be permitted through CAMA major or general permits.
- DCM's Wilmington regional office covers Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties.
- Hurricane Florence (2018) made landfall near Wrightsville Beach with 5 to 8 feet of inundation along parts of Onslow Bay.
North Carolina's southeastern coast runs from Wrightsville Beach south through Wilmington and the Cape Fear River to the South Carolina line. Behind the barrier beaches, the Intracoastal Waterway, Masonboro Sound and tidal creeks carry ocean tide inland. This page covers New Hanover and Brunswick counties, including Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Southport and Oak Island.
The waterfront environment
Estuarine shorelines and the Cape Fear River
The Cape Fear River is the region's main estuary, flowing past Wilmington to the ocean at Southport and Bald Head Island. The Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway runs behind the barrier islands, linking Masonboro Sound, the Lockwood Folly River and the Shallotte River. Because the state generally prohibits permanent hardening on the oceanfront (see below), bulkheads in North Carolina are largely an estuarine-shoreline topic.
Tide range
NOAA tidal datums show a mean tide range of about 4.0 feet at Wrightsville Beach, 4.2 feet at Southport and 4.3 feet at Wilmington on the Cape Fear River. Several feet of daily rise and fall means water moves through a bulkhead's joints and weep holes twice a day, and a substantial part of the wall face is exposed at low tide. That affects drainage, toe scour and how timber or other materials weather in the wet-dry zone. See seawall drainage and timber bulkheads.
Storm history
Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach on September 14, 2018. The National Hurricane Center estimated maximum storm surge inundation of 5 to 8 feet above ground level along the coast at Onslow Bay, in parts of Carteret, Onslow, Pender and northern New Hanover counties. A USGS sensor at the Johnnie Mercer Pier in Wrightsville Beach measured a wave-filtered water level of about 7.2 feet above mean higher high water, which NHC noted likely reflected both surge and wave setup. Florence's greatest surge, 8 to 11 feet, occurred farther north along the Neuse River; see the Central Coast and Outer Banks page.
After a storm, walls can be overtopped, lose fill and develop new leaning or separation. Review signs of bulkhead failure and the bulkhead inspection guide.
Oceanfront versus estuarine rules
The oceanfront: no permanent hardening
The Division of Coastal Management states that North Carolina prohibits permanent shoreline stabilization devices on the oceanfront, including seawalls, groins and other hardened structures, with narrow exceptions such as protecting an eroding bridge that is the only road access to a large barrier island population. For imminently threatened structures, defined as those where the erosion scarp is within 20 feet of the foundation, septic system or road right-of-way, temporary sandbags may be allowed under a CAMA general permit. DCM says sandbags cannot be a permanent protective measure and may generally stay in place for up to eight years. Oceanfront construction is also subject to erosion setbacks measured landward from the first line of stable, natural vegetation.
Estuarine shorelines: several options
On sounds, rivers and the ICW, DCM describes three common stabilization methods:
| Method | DCM description | Permit route |
|---|---|---|
| Bulkhead | Shore-parallel vertical structure; durable in moderate to high wave energy; prevents natural migration of wetland vegetation; the most commonly used method | CAMA major or general permit |
| Riprap revetment | Sloping rock structure, typically 1 vertical to 2 horizontal, that absorbs wave energy; causes less loss of soft bottom habitat than bulkheads | CAMA major or general permit |
| Marsh sill | Shore-parallel wood or rock structure placed offshore of existing or potential marsh to protect wetland vegetation | CAMA major or general permit |
DCM promotes living shorelines for estuarine stabilization. Our riprap and living shorelines guide compares approaches.
Permitting on the southeastern coast
DCM's Wilmington regional office handles CAMA permitting for Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. Several local governments have Local Permit Officers who can issue certain CAMA permits, including the towns of Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach; in other places permits are handled by DCM's Wilmington office. DCM recommends talking with a field representative about allowed stabilization options and permit types before designing a project. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District, reviews work in waters of the United States. Local building permits may also apply. Our Permit Navigator lists verified agency pages.
Planning a project here
- Confirm whether the shoreline is oceanfront or estuarine. The rules differ fundamentally.
- Talk with a DCM field representative or Local Permit Officer early, as DCM recommends.
- Ask a marine contractor or coastal engineer to compare a bulkhead, revetment and sill for the site.
- Read the bulkhead permit guide and shoreline erosion control.
This page is educational and does not determine requirements for any property.
Frequently asked questions
Can I build a seawall on the oceanfront at Wrightsville Beach or Oak Island?
North Carolina generally prohibits permanent shoreline stabilization devices, including seawalls, on the oceanfront, with narrow exceptions. Temporary sandbags may be allowed for imminently threatened structures under a CAMA general permit.
Can I put a bulkhead on my sound or ICW lot?
DCM states that bulkheads on estuarine shorelines can be permitted through a CAMA major or general permit. DCM also describes riprap revetments and marsh sills as options and promotes living shorelines.
Who issues CAMA permits around Wilmington?
DCM's Wilmington regional office handles Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender counties. Several towns, including Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Oak Island and Holden Beach, have Local Permit Officers for certain CAMA permits.
Sources
- 1Datums for 8658163, Wrightsville Beach, NC — NOAA Tides & Currents. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 2Datums for 8658120, Wilmington, NC — NOAA Tides & Currents. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 3Datums for 8659084, Southport, NC — NOAA Tides & Currents. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 4Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Florence (AL062018) — NOAA National Hurricane Center. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 5Protecting Oceanfront Property from Erosion — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 6Estuarine Shoreline Stabilization Options — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 7How to Stabilize Your Estuarine Shoreline — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 8Types of CAMA Permits — NC Department of Environmental Quality. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 9Local Permit Officers — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
- 10What You Should Know About Erosion and Oceanfront Development — NC Division of Coastal Management. Accessed November 3, 2026.
Educational guidance only. This information is general and is not a structural assessment, engineering advice, or a permitting determination. Conditions at every waterfront are different; consult a licensed marine contractor or professional engineer about your wall.