Watercraft Ordinances

AKA: Boating control ordinances, local watercraft controls

As more development occurs around lakes and lake cottages become year-round homes, boating and other recreational activities on inland lakes will increase. In addition, the size, number and speed of watercraft have greatly increased over the years thus potentially creating a conflict between users and property owners. Local governments can work with the Department of Natural Resources to establish watercraft control ordinances to address conflict between high speed boaters, water skiers, swimmers, fisherman, and others.

Watercraft ordinances are generally adopted in accordance with provisions of Part 801 of Act 451 of 1994, the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, based on an identified safety concern or problem. For example, an ordinance could set hours for water skiing, prohibit motorboats (entirely or in certain sensitive areas), or require no-wake speed. Local governments can also set limits on motorized to non-motorized watercraft ratios. For more information, contact the Michigan DNR Marine Safety Program.

Additional Reference Materials

Additional Ordinance Examples