Chapter 12.60 — BOATING REGULATIONS

The operation and equipment of boats shall be governed by the provisions of the Federal navigation laws and the State boating laws and regulations and by the additional regulations contained in this chapter.

(Prior Code, § 7720; Code 1997, § 12.60.010)

The regulations contained in this chapter shall apply to and govern all public waters within the unincorporated territory of the County.

(Prior Code, § 7721; Code 1997, § 12.60.020)

A.

It is unlawful to drive, park or leave standing any motor vehicle below the obvious high-water mark of any lake, pond or reservoir to which the public has access.

B.

This section shall not apply to any designated or authorized boat launching ramp zone, paved or otherwise, or to any public officer or owner or agent in the necessary performance of their duties, including, but not limited to, repair, maintenance, removal of debris or hazards or enforcement of this section or other laws.

(Prior Code, § 7722; Code 1997, § 12.60.030)

It is unlawful for any person to shoot any firearm or gun operated by compressed gases or a spring from any boat or across or over any portion of the waters of any lake or reservoir; provided, however, that nothing in this section shall prohibit the shooting of a shotgun from a boat or across lake or reservoir waters during the lawful water fowl hunting season for the purpose of killing lawful water fowl.

(Prior Code, § 7723; Code 1997, § 12.60.040)

It is unlawful for any person to conduct or participate in, by operating a motorboat or otherwise, any motorboat race without the express written permit and under the supervision of the owner of the waters or his or her duly authorized agent for the purpose.

(Prior Code, § 7724; Code 1997, § 12.60.050)

It is unlawful for any person to operate the motor of any boat or to ride, pull or tow any water skis or aquaplane within any marked swimming area.

(Prior Code, § 7725; Code 1997, § 12.60.060)

It is unlawful for any person to operate any boat within 500 feet of any dam owned or operated by any public agency.

(Prior Code, § 7726; Code 1997, § 12.60.070)

It is unlawful for any person to place or maintain any private houseboat or any private boat house upon any public waters without the prior written consent of the owner of the waters or his or her agent.

(Prior Code, § 7727; Code 1997, § 12.60.080)

It is unlawful for any person to swim in the open channels of any lake or reservoir which are frequented by motorboats or sailboats or more than 300 feet from the shore or outside the boundaries of a marked swimming area or any public waters unless accompanied by a boat manned by a competent operator.

(Prior Code, § 7728; Code 1997, § 12.60.090)

No provision of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the operation of any boat actually competing in a race or regatta over a marked racing course which is previously authorized in writing and actively supervised by the owner of the waters of the racing course or his or her duly authorized agent for such purpose, nor to conflict with any of the rules adopted by the person or agent supervising the race governing the type, size, construction, equipment of the boats, the navigation regulations and other rules governing the conduct of the race.

(Prior Code, § 7729; Code 1997, § 12.60.100)

No provisions of this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or restrict the operation of any boat or aquaplane actually participating in a water show which is previously authorized in writing and actively supervised by the owner of the waters on which the water show is conducted or his or her duly authorized agent for such purpose.

(Prior Code, § 7730; Code 1997, § 12.60.110)