Well that's a good question for people buying Lake Sinclair waterfront properties, but it's not one that I, as a real estate broker answer for my clients. There is always going to be some questions that I don't answer.
The easy answer is that Georgia Power allows docks with 50 feet of shoreline and a single boathouse with 75 feet of shoreline and a double boathouse with 100 feet of shoreline. But .... is that 100 feet that shows on your plat really 100 feet of shoreline to Georgia Power? Sometimes not.
Take the Google Earth photo for example. The blue line represents the shoreline around the contour on this lot. BUT Georgia Power measures straight line pin to pin on your surveyed property. That is the red line. So you can have well over 100 feet of shoreline, but it's not 100 feet straight line pin to pin you don't get that double boathouse permit.
There are numerous other special circumstances that determine what you can do at your shoreline. If you are in a cove will what you want to do block your neighbor's access? Is your lot rectangle or pie shaped because you have "invisible" extensions of your property lines out into the water that you must maintain a 15 feet minimum distance away from them.
Are you considering a house that has an older boathouse with siding on it? That's no longer allowed and to make changes or do upkeep the power company can make you get it into compliance with current regulations. Is the power run to the boathouse up to code? If not the county can come and make you disconnect power to the boathouse.
Georgia Power has written rules available for your review on line. You can view them at their website. But also keep in mind that individual lot shapes and locations can cause the rules to vary from it would seem. Speaking from observation and experience I'd also like to say it's wise to ask nicely and not be demanding or "tell" the power company what you are going to do.
If you have questions you can reach Georgia Power Land Management office at 706-484-7500
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