Seattle Houseboats News:

Hello FOWR & VDU. Seattle Floating Homes and House Barges Welcome You to the Seattle Houseboats world. (TIP: Click on any form pictures below to be taken directly to those forms.)

Background:

There has been much talk in the Seattle houseboats world about the long term lifestyle of living on the waters in Seattle and how secure it is. It has been many years in the making and we have all been watching closely to make sure that life Afloat In Seattle ™ is protected to its best abilities. We are pleased to let you know that the City of Seattle’s Shoreline Master Program received final approval on June 1st, 2015 and went into effect on June 15th, 2015.

Navigating The Forms:

The new SMP created a couple new categories of homes on the water called Floating On-Water Residences and Vessels with a Dwelling Unit. Here is a great PDF from the city which describes the new categories and who (including floating homes and house barges) needs to have their Seattle houseboat “registered” or “verified” with the city:

You must act now and get your application in to have your houseboat registered or verified and obtain your City of Seattle three digit number. (Quoted definition text below is from page 4 of the city’s DPD Tip #229 publication.).

Lake Union Afloat ℠

Without further delay, here are the Seattle Houseboats categories and what you need to do to maintain your lifestyle Afloat On Lake Union ℠:

1. Floating home

Seattle floating homes need to be registered with the city. According to the city, ” A floating home is connected to the City’s municipal sewer line and is located within the tax parcel.”

The form you need if you are a Seattle floating home: It will come directly to you in the mail. “The Floating Home Registration Form was sent to the taxpayer address that the city has on file and should be received by August 2015. ”

2. House Barge

Seattle House Barges need to be verified by city. According to the city’s definition, “House barges are not on a tax parcel and usually are not connected to the municipal sewer line. ” In addition, these Seattle house barges must have been used as a residence within the city and moored at a recreational marina within the city prior to July 1, 1990.

The form you need if you are a Seattle House Barge: It will be sent to you directly from the city. “The House Barge Verification Form was sent directly to the taxpayer and should be received by July 2015.”

3. FOWR (Floating on-water Residence)

Seattle Floating On Water Residences need to be verified by the city. According to the city, ” FOWRs are not on a tax parcel and usually are not connected to the municipal sewer line.” In addition, these FOWRs must have been used as a residence within the city and moored at a recreational marina within the city on or after July 1, 1990, but before July 1, 2014.

The form you need if you are a Seattle Floating On Water Residence:

In addition, here is more information on FOWRs from the city: FOWR Informational Letter

4. VDU (Vessel with a Dwelling Unit)

Seattle Vessels with a Dwelling Unit houseboats need to be verified with the city. According to the city, a VDU must have been used as a residence within the city and moored at a recreational marina within the city on or after July 1, 2014, but before June 15, 2015, and a “VDU must also demonstrate that it is designed and used for navigation.”

The form you need if you are a Vessel with a Dwelling Unit:

In addition, here is more information on VDUs from the city: Vessel with a Dwelling Unit Informational Letter From City

Please do call us if you need help. It’s a lot more simple than it sounds believe it or not.

Molly Cartwright 206-841-6800 Molly@CooperJacobs.com

Courtney Cooper 206-850-8841 Courtney@CooperJacobs.com