diff --git a/docs/users_guide/ocean/framework/vertical.md b/docs/users_guide/ocean/framework/vertical.md
index 2d87b98a6..2e266f498 100644
--- a/docs/users_guide/ocean/framework/vertical.md
+++ b/docs/users_guide/ocean/framework/vertical.md
@@ -36,6 +36,12 @@ partial_cell_type = full
 
 # The minimum fraction of a layer for partial cells
 min_pc_fraction = 0.1
+
+# The minimum number of vertical levels for z-star coordinate
+min_vert_levels = 1
+
+# Minimum thickness of each layer for z-star coordinate
+min_layer_thickness = 0
 ```
 
 The vertical coordinate is typically defined based on a 1D reference grid.
diff --git a/polaris/ocean/ocean.cfg b/polaris/ocean/ocean.cfg
index a09169fe8..8aaa68780 100644
--- a/polaris/ocean/ocean.cfg
+++ b/polaris/ocean/ocean.cfg
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ iterations = 10
 # Options related to the vertical grid
 [vertical_grid]
 
-# The minimum number of vertical levels for multi-layer cases
+# The minimum number of vertical levels for z-star coordinate
 min_vert_levels = 1
 
-# Minimum thickness of each layer
+# Minimum thickness of each layer for z-star coordinate
 min_layer_thickness = 0