Sea Ranch Lakes & Lauderdale By The Sea

Founded in 1947 the tiny town of Lauderdale by the Sea is just brimming with charm. Located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal waterway, from just south of Commercial Boulevard, to just north of Commercial Boulevard, is this timeless enclave of only a little over 6,000 people; of which less than half are full time residents. Many of the residents are also owners of small hotels and motels that make up the majority of the accommodations for this long time tourist destination. The land area encompasses only about a half of a square mile. There are building restrictions that prohibit buildings over certain heights in the Lauderdale by the Sea area, that help to retain the small town ambiance and charm that attract many visitors and locals alike year after year.

At the center of the town is Anglins Square, with many wonderful merchants, among them are unique gift shops, ice cream shops, restaurants, boutiques, and of course, Anglins Fishing Pier. Lauderdale by the Sea is a favorite place for locals to come and take an evening stroll along the beachside sidewalk that stretches from almost the north to the south end of the town.

Although the town of Lauderdale by the Sea is small geographically, they have a remarkable civic minded group of residents. Many are active members and supporters of the local Lauderdale by the Sea Chamber of Commerce, Lauderdale by the Sea Merchant Association, the Property Owners Association, the Garden Club, Coral Ridge Power Squadron, the Fire Fighters Optimist Club, The Lauderdale by the Sea Volunteer Fire Department and so many others of various interest. There is a wonderful city hall, and a beautiful, well equipped playground/park with tennis courts and basketball courts.

There is a fabulous live reef just offshore about 100 yards which makes this beach one of the favorites of the local scuba divers and snorkelers. Shore diving here is amazing, and so convenient. On May 26, 1900, the SS Copenhagen struck a reef off of Lauderdale by the Sea. The wreck is one of only 11 Florida underwater archaeological preserves. Here’s a link to a map of the archaeological dive site: https://www.lauderdalebythesea-fl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/785/Copenhagen-Site-Map-Guide Fishermen and fisherwomen enjoy a nice day at Anglins Fishing Pier, catching local fare such as Red Snapper, Pompano, Snook (only in season please..), and many other delicious favorites.

Most of the homes in this quiet community were built in the 1950’s – 1970’s, with many new homes currently under construction and just completed. The average lot size is around 8,000 sq. ft., with some larger and smaller. Our Lauderdale by the Sea residents absolutely love the charm and peaceful atmosphere in this seaside community.

The tiny, gated Village of Sea Ranch Lakes is adjacent to Lauderdale by the Sea on the North border. The Sea Ranch Lakes Police Department is legally permitted to deny access to the residential areas of the village through the main gate – manned 24 hours a day, on A1A because all of the property is on private land. This village has the lowest crime rate in all of Broward County. As few as they are, most if not all of the crimes typically occur in the village’s 40-store shopping plaza, which is outside the 5’ wall surrounding most of the community.

With a few more than 200 residential properties including homes on the 2 fresh water lakes; Lake Seneca and Lake Cayuga, homes on our Intracoastal Waterway and some on “dry lots” this is an amazing, safe and peaceful Oceanside boutique community. All telephone and power lines are buried to add to the beautiful beachside aesthetics. According to the restrictive covenants of the Beach Club, all Buyer’s must be approved by the Beach Club Members before a purchase can go through. Each parcel/property owns 1% of the Beach Club. The cost of this is added to each single family home or lot purchase in Sea Ranch Lakes.

On October 6th 1959, so they could not be forcibly annexed by any adjacent municipalities, the Village of Sea Ranch Lakes was incorporated as a municipality within Broward County. In doing so, this small village which owns no property within its borders can remain indefinitely autonomous. All property in Sea Ranch Lakes is private land. All streets, roads lakes and parks are private property owned by the Sea Ranch Lakes Beach Club, even the oceanfront property where the beach clubhouse and pool are located.

All property in the village is private, owned by the Sea Ranch Lakes Beach Club. The Beach Club has members who are elected to serve on the Board of Directors. All major issues must be voted on by the Beach Club Members and the residents as well (1 vote per parcel). The Board of Directors is responsible to maintain street signs, roads and street lights among other things. There are annual membership dues which are used for various capital improvements including street repaving, maintaining the Beach Cub, and payment of the employees who manage the Beach Club and maintain the property.