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HomeHarbors and Navigation CodeDiv. 2Ch. 2§ 268 Local Vessel Operation Permits

§ 268 Local Vessel Operation Permits

Harbors and Navigation Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 268 Local Vessel Operation Permits

This law lets local counties or cities set rules for boats and water‑ski gear and give permits to clubs for races or other water events, as long as the events are marked and watched by the Coast Guard or a local water authority, and it covers any water that can actually be used for navigation.

Key Takeaways

  • •Counties or cities can make their own rules for boats, water skis, aquaplanes, and similar devices.
  • •They can give permits to yacht clubs, water‑ski clubs, or civic groups to run races or other water events on courses that are set up, marked, and watched by the Coast Guard, a harbormaster, or another water authority.
  • •If the United States Coast Guard already issues a permit for an event, the city’s extra rules don’t apply.
  • •The law applies to any water that can actually be navigated, even if it isn’t officially listed as navigable.

Example

A local yacht club wants to hold a water‑ski race on a river that runs through the city.

The club asks the city harbormaster for a permit. The city marks the race course, the Coast Guard patrols it, and the race can go ahead because the law allows the city to grant that permit. If the Coast Guard had already given its own permit, the city’s rules wouldn’t apply.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 268 Local Vessel Operation Permits

(a) Counties or cities may adopt restrictions concerning the navigation and operation of vessels and water skis, aquaplanes, or similar devices subject to the provisions of subdivision (a) of Section 660, and may grant permits to bona fide yacht clubs, water ski clubs, or civic organizations to conduct vessel or water ski races or other marine events over courses established, marked, and patrolled by authority of the United States Coast Guard, city harbormaster, or other officer having authority over the waters on which such race or other marine event is proposed to be conducted and on such days and between such hours as may be approved thereby. These provisions shall not apply to marine events authorized by United States Coast Guard permit. (b) The provisions of this section shall apply to all waters which are in fact navigable regardless of whether they are declared navigable by this code. (Amended by Stats. 1973, Ch. 345.)

Last verified: January 11, 2026

Key Terms

vesselswater skisaquaplanesmarine eventsnavigable waters

Related Statutes

  • § 100 Navigable Waters Floodwaters Definition
  • § 490 Vessel Debt Liens
  • § 491 Vessel Liability And Liens
  • § 62.6 Vessel War Insurance Procurement
  • § 75 Department Vessel Regulation Powers

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Harbors and Navigation Code. Section 268.
View Official Source