Chapter 7A.12
BOATING AND WATERCRAFT

Sections:

7A.12.010    Boating regulations.

7A.12.020    Occupancy and overnight moorage.

7A.12.030    Anchorage.

7A.12.040    Operating watercraft in swimming areas.

7A.12.050    Designated areas for landing, launching, docking or operating.

7A.12.060    Tandem moorage.

7A.12.070    Moorage in swimming areas.

7A.12.080    Commercial watercraft.

7A.12.090    Use of marine heads.

7A.12.010 Boating regulations.

The following provisions in the Sammamish Municipal Code are adopted by reference, now in effect and as subsequently amended: SMC 12.05.010. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.020 Occupancy and overnight moorage.

Continuous occupancy of a City of Sammamish park area or associated marine area by mooring, anchoring, docking, or berthing a boat or other object by the same person or group is limited to park hours. No person shall moor, anchor, dock or berth a boat or other object overnight in a City of Sammamish park area or associated marine area unless the area has been designated for such use or permitted by the director. In addition to the penalties in Chapter 7A.19 SMC, now in effect and as subsequently amended, any boat found to be in violation of this chapter may be removed at the owner’s expense. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.030 Anchorage.

No owner or operator of any vessel or watercraft may anchor, moor, or otherwise secure such vessel or watercraft to the bed of any waters. Exceptions include moorage to a public dock in a manner consistent with any posted regulations, anchorage or moorage necessary because of an emergency situation, or when given prior written permission by the director. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.040 Operating watercraft in swimming areas.

Operating any watercraft is prohibited in designated swimming areas. This section applies to, but is not limited to: canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and row boats. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.050 Designated areas for landing, launching, docking or operating.

In the interests of safe navigation and the protection of life and property and consistent with SMC 12.05.010, now in effect and as subsequently amended, boat launching is permitted in designated areas only. No person may land, launch, dock or operate any motorized watercraft in any City park area or associated marine area except in locations specifically designated and/or marked for that purpose and consistent with this code. This section shall not apply to the transportation of injured persons, evacuees, medical personnel, or public officials in the event of an accident, disaster, or emergency. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.060 Tandem moorage.

No more than three boats or other objects may be tied or rafted together when docked or berthed adjacent to a dock in a City of Sammamish park area or associated marine area. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.070 Moorage in swimming areas.

No person or persons may moor, dock, or berth a boat or other watercraft, whether motorized or nonmotorized, to a log boom or float line which delineates a swimming area in a City of Sammamish park area or associated marine area except that watercraft, whether motorized or nonmotorized, may moor, dock or berth on the southern side of the south dock at Sammamish Landing Park and on either side of the north dock at Sammamish Landing Park, consistent with this code. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.080 Commercial watercraft.

Use of associated marine areas by commercial watercraft is prohibited. For the purpose of this rule “commercial watercraft” means watercraft used for any commercial purpose. This section shall not apply to commercial watercraft operated within the terms of a concession lease approved by the director. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a civil offense. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))

7A.12.090 Use of marine heads.

No person may use or flush any marine head which when flushed emits its contents directly into the waters of a lake, river, or any other water area. No person may cause any human or animal waste to be dumped into the waters when docked or berthed adjacent to a dock in a City of Sammamish park area or associated marine area. Any person violating provisions of this rule shall have committed a criminal misdemeanor. (Ord. O2021-531 § 3 (Att. A))