Morro Bay Municipal Code Ch. 14.52 Marine Docks and Structures

Footnotes:

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Editor's note— Ord. No. 583, adopted November 12, 2013, repealed the former Chapter 14.52, §§ 14.52.010—14.52.130, and enacted a new Chapter 14.52 as set out herein. The former Chapter 14.52 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Ord. No. 564, adopted November 8, 2010.

The intent of this chapter is to regulate floating docks and marina construction as defined in this chapter within the city limits. The design and specification criteria is in addition to all other city codes, ordinances and rules and regulations and is in addition to applicable laws or statutes of the United States or the state and to any applicable rule, regulation, or order of any state or federal agency.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

As used in this chapter

"Floating dock" means a moorage for boats, ships and sailing vessels supported by a buoyant method acceptable to this chapter which may or may not be attached to land. For purposes of this chapter, floating docks are further classified in this section as public floating docks and private floating docks limited to single family use.

"Floating marina" means a moorage defined as a floating dock which has buildings or equipment and/or structures on it used for service to boats.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

It is unlawful for any person to commence, or cause to be commenced, any construction of any floating dock or marina or other similar work governed by this chapter without having first obtained a permit evidencing approval of the city building department of all construction plans, specifications and schematic and working drawings pursuant to which such structure is to be constructed, all as provided in this chapter. After the issuance of such permit and approval of such plans and specifications and other documents, the construction of such approved structure or facility shall be in strict compliance with such approved plans, specifications and documents. See Master Fee Schedule.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

The applicant for a permit for the construction of any floating dock or marina or other facility of a similar nature governed by this chapter shall submit to the planning and building department of the city the following:

A. Three copies each of the plot plan (including the parking layout), full construction plans and specifications, complete working drawings, schematic drawings of electrical and mechanical work, and other similar documents;

B. Evidence that an encroachment permit has been obtained from the city if the construction work is to be done on or abutting city property;

C. Evidence that the applicant has the approval of the owner of the property over which the facility is to be located and the abutting land area to construct such facility;

D. Evidence that the applicant has complied with all applicable statutes and laws of the United States, or the state, and with all applicable rules, regulations and orders of any state or federal agency;

E. Where the approval of any other city or county department or agency is required, evidence that such approval has been obtained;

F. Where the applicant seeks a permit for construction of a floating marina or any floating dock in excess of four hundred square feet in area or fifty feet in length measured perpendicular to the shoreline, evidence that a California Registered Civil Engineer or Licensed Architect has prepared the plans and specifications for the construction thereof;

G. The complete design criteria on which the plans and specifications for such facility are based, including the severity of the design wave action; and

H. Any other information reasonably required by the planning and building department in order to evaluate the proposed facility.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

A. Commercial boat docking facilities shall provide one vehicle parking space for each one and one-half mooring spaces and/or each twenty-five lineal feet of dock, plus one added space for each two employees. Parking spaces shall be located within one thousand feet of the mooring or dock spaces.

B. Parking requirements for commercial facilities housed in buildings, such as restaurants, which are used in conjunction with a marina or dock facility shall be the same as required by Title 17, zoning.

C. All other parking shall conform to the standards established in Title 17, zoning.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Firefighting appliances and equipment shall be provided and maintained in an operable manner for all commercially operated marinas and dock facilities, as specified by ordinances of the city, and all installations shall be subject to the approval of the chief of the fire department.

Domestic water service to any floating facility shall meet minimum requirements established by the department of public services, and the county health department and such approval shall be made a part of the construction plans.

Illumination shall be provided at passenger loading areas of commercial piers, floats and docks. All railing on floating facilities shall be designed for a minimum twenty pound lineal foot horizontal load applied at the top railing. The minimum height of the railing shall be forty-two inches above adjacent floor level.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Removal of sewage from floating facilities shall be subject to the approval of the department of public services and the county health department and approval of the method of disposal desired shall be obtained at the time the construction plans are submitted. In addition to other sanitary requirements for buildings, all public floating docks or floating marinas shall have a minimum of two restroom facilities (one for male and one for female) for each seventy-five mooring spaces available. The maximum walking distance from boat berth to restroom shall not exceed four hundred feet.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Construction requirements for a floating dock less than two thousand square feet, except private floating docks less than four hundred square feet, are as follows:

All docks shall be designed for boat moorage on at least one side of the boat unless otherwise approved by the building official. Guardrails shall be provided on all access piers and gangways and floats intended for gathering places such as food distribution areas and similar service areas.

The clear water dimension between opposing rows of finger floats shall be a minimum of 1.75 times the length of the longest finger float.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Construction requirements for large floating docks (over two thousand square feet of float area) are as follows:

The clear water dimensions between opposing rows of finger floats shall be a minimum of two times the length of the longest finger float.

Guide piles shall be installed at ends of all fingers attached to outboard end of main access float and at all floats exceeding thirty-five feet in length in ocean waters and inland waters not subject to fluctuation. Maximum spacing of guide piles for main floats shall be forty feet. Piles shall meet the requirements of the Uniform Building Code.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Small private floating docks (less than four hundred square feet, etc.) shall meet flotation and anchorage requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Flotation units shall be made of one of the following types of material: Concrete, pressure molded fiberglass, reinforced plastic, or an expanded cellular plastic material coated with an approved material to prevent physical or chemical damage.

Iron and steel parts shall be heavily galvanized or equally protected with a corrosion resistant coating.

Deck surfaces may be either concrete, plastic or wood. Lumber shall be a minimum of one and five-eighths inches net thickness. Plywood shall be marine exterior of three-fourths inches minimum thickness. All surfaces shall have a nonslip finish.

All lumber shall receive a full cell process salt preservative treatment in accordance with the specifications of the American Wood Preservers' Association.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

A. Design Loads. All portions of facility shall be designed to resist full dead load plus live loads. All buoyant units shall resist full design loads with maximum seventy-five percent submergence of unit.

B. Lateral Loads. All portions of facility shall be designed according to minimum requirements of the Uniform Building Code.

C. Vehicular Loads. All portions of facility shall be designed in accordance with the standard specifications for highway bridges as adopted by the American Association of State Highway Officials.

D. Finger Floats and Main Access Floats. The minimum design live load shall be fifteen pound square feet or a five hundred pound concentrated load on one square foot at any location, whichever causes the worst condition.

E. Fueling floats and Similar Service Area Floats. The minimum design live load shall be twenty pound square feet or a five hundred pound concentrated load on one square foot at any location, whichever causes the worst condition.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)

Gangways shall be provided at the end of all main floats. Where the gangway rests on the main float, adequate width shall be provided at the main float to provide clear width of eight feet on one side or four feet on each side of the gangway to the edge of the main float.

Gangways shall be designed for a live load of fifty pound square feet minimum. Special float conditions may require a greater live load to be considered, subject to the approval of the building official.

(Ord. No. 583, 11-12-13)