Florida's New Coastal Protection Law Opens Door for 3D Printed Seawalls

Florida just gave a boost to a new kind of coastal protection — and 3D printing companies are right in the middle of it.

On March 19, 2026, Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation to support coastal protection, including Senate Bill 302 focused on coastal protection and nature-based solutions. The law makes it easier to approve "living shoreline" projects, sets clearer rules for nature-based solutions, and connects them to funding through programs like the state's Resilient Florida initiative, which has more than $200 million available for coastal protection projects.

"My administration has delivered historic investments to protect Florida's 1,300 miles of coastline," said DeSantis. "Today, I signed legislation to preserve the Terra Ceia Bay and to build on our work to promote coastal resiliency and water quality statewide."

What This Means for 3D Printing

The new law opens the door to newer approaches, including 3D printed seawalls and hybrid structures, alongside more traditional methods such as mangroves and reefs. This move is creating opportunities for companies using 3D printing to rethink how coastlines are built.

One company already working in this space is KIND Designs, a Miami-based startup that prints "living seawalls." These structures are designed not just to stop erosion, but to act like artificial reefs, helping marine life grow while reducing wave energy. The company's systems are already deployed in Miami Beach and Miami.

However, existing regulations can still limit how these designs are used. According to the Miami Herald, KIND Designs founder Anya Freeman has said current regulations often limit seawall extensions to around 18 inches, which can make it harder to use more complex, nature-based designs. While the new law is a step forward, its real impact will depend on how it is implemented.

The Growing Opportunity

KIND Designs is not alone. Several projects and companies are already working on nature-based coastal protection across the state. In South Florida, Reef Arches is developing engineered reef structures designed to rebuild shorelines and support marine life. In the Florida Keys, a state-backed artificial reef program is testing new ways to protect ecosystems and coastlines, supported by millions in funding. In Miami Beach, the REEFLINE project is building an underwater reef system as part of a larger coastal protection effort.

Universities like the University of Miami are also developing advanced reef structures designed to absorb wave energy and protect shorelines. While not all of these projects use 3D printing, they show the type of infrastructure Florida is now moving toward.

With $200 million in funding already allocated and a more regulatory-friendly environment, the stage is set for 3D printed coastal protection solutions to scale in Florida.