Issuing of boating licenses and collection of fees.
Springfield, Ill., City Code § 96.040
in effect§ 96.040. - Issuing of boating licenses and collection of fees.
(a) Licensing.
(1) No watercraft of any kind may be propelled, kept, or used in the reservoir, or stored or kept on the marginal land, until the owner thereof shall have registered such watercraft and secured a license therefor from the general manager of public utilities or his designee based on a written application setting forth the following:
a. Length and draft of such watercraft; and
b. Its means of locomotion, and if propelled by motor or engine, the horsepower rating thereof; and
c. The maximum number of passengers such watercraft may safely carry; and
d. Its contemplated use; and
e. Such other and further information as the city may from time to time require.
(2) Such license when granted, shall be evidenced by an official registration number plate or marker. Such plate or marker shall be uniformly placed in a conspicuous position on the boat or craft as may be designated by the city and such license shall be exhibited on request to any agent of the city. Issuance of any official registration number plate or marker shall be subject to an approved inspection by the general manager or his agent, of such boat or craft for which application for license is made.
(3) Such license, unless issued for a special event, shall expire on March 31 of the year following its issuance.
(4) No boat or craft shall be licensed or used on the reservoir equipped with motor or motors of greater horsepower than the rated capacity set forth by the manufacturer of such craft or otherwise determined upon official inspection by the city.
(5) Sale of craft. On the sale of any boat or craft, the licenses issued therefor shall cease to apply. The board or craft so sold shall be removed from the reservoir or registered by the purchaser as in case of an original registration.
(b) Classifications of boats or watercraft:
Class A. Non-motorized watercraft.
Class B. For each watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated 25 horsepower or less for each motor.
Class C. For each watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated above 25 horsepower and not more than 74 horsepower for each motor.
Class D. For each watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated above 74 horsepower and not more than 100 horsepower for each motor.
Class E. For each watercraft equipped with an outboard motor or motors rated more than 100 horsepower for each motor.
Class F. For each boat equipped with outboard motor or motors rated 51 horsepower or more but not more than 74 horsepower, for each motor.
Class G. For each boat equipped with outboard motor or motors rated 75 horsepower or more but not more than 100 horsepower, for each motor.
Class H. For each boat equipped with outboard motor or motors rated more than 100 horsepower, for each motor.
Class I. Special permit. A special permit may be issued by the general manager allowing any watercraft to be used on the reservoir by a non-profit organization (not to members or participants) for purposes of fundraising for the organization or for carrying out the primary services or functions of the organization.
Class I1. Special permit. A special permit may be issued by the general manager, allowing any boat or craft to be used on the reservoir for a period not exceeding 48 hours, from time of issue and restricted to two per year, for each such 48-hour period.
Class P1. Special permit. A special permit may be issued by the general manager allowing any watercraft to be used on the reservoir for a period not exceeding 24 hours from time of issue. The number of special permits shall be restricted to two permits per year per watercraft for each such 24-hour period. This permit is mandatory unless the person with the watercraft obtains a yearly permit.
Class P2. Special permit. A special permit may be issued by the general manager allowing any watercraft to be used on the reservoir for a period not exceeding 60 hours from time of issue. The number of special permits shall be restricted to two permits per year per watercraft for each such 60-hour period. This permit is mandatory unless the person with the watercraft obtains a yearly permit.
Class R. Rental permit. A rental permit may be issued by the general manager for each watercraft intended for use as a public rental by a company or individual authorized by the general manager to provide watercraft rental services on the reservoir.
Class X. Watercraft dealer. A license to allow boat display and testing on Lake Springfield must be purchased. Dealer license allows the display and testing by the dealer for business purposes.
(c) Lake Springfield watercraft fee schedule. In order to provide a fund to be used to defray the expense of inspection and supervision of watercraft on the reservoir, to enforce the provisions of this chapter, and for the improvements of navigation and the safety and pleasure of boating, an application for a watercraft license must be accompanied by the payment of annual license fees to the city as follows (no proration of fees will be allowed). The fee schedule shall be as follows:
Class | Description | City | Sangamon County | Outside County
A | No motor | $ 20.00 | $ 22.00 | $ 25.00
B | 1 to 25 h.p. | $ 25.00 | $ 30.00 | $ 44.00
C | 26 to 74 h.p. | $ 32.00 | $ 40.00 | $ 60.00
D | 75 to 100 h.p. | $ 60.00 | $ 80.00 | $100.00
E | 101 h.p. and up | $100.00 | $120.00 | $160.00
I | Non-profit | -0- | -0- | 0
P1 | 24-hr. permit | $ 20.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 20.00
P2 | 60-hr. permit | $ 30.00 | $ 30.00 | $ 30.00
R | Rental | $ 20.00 | $ 20.00 | $ 20.00
X | Watercraft dealers | -0- | -0- | -0-
(d) Suspension or revocation of license.
(1) Violations constituting grounds for suspension of license. The general manager of public utilities or a Springfield police officer, shall have the authority to suspend any watercraft license under the following circumstances:
a. Where there is located on any watercraft a motor or engine of greater rated horsepower than that for which the watercraft was licensed shall be deemed a violation for which the general manager of public utilities or a Springfield police officer, shall have the authority to suspend the owner's license for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than one year.
b. Where any watercraft carrying a greater number of passengers than that for which it was designed, the general manager of public utilities or a Springfield police officer, shall have the authority to suspend the owner's license for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than one year.
c. Where any person operates or owns any watercraft on the reservoir without a valid registration number plate or marker affixed to such watercraft as herein provided, the general manager of public utilities or a Springfield police officer, shall have the authority to suspend the owner's license for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than one year.
d. Where any person operates any watercraft in a manner that is a danger to health, safety or welfare of others, the general manager of public utilities or a Springfield police officer, shall have the authority to suspend the owner's license for a period of not less than 30 days nor more than one year.
e. Where any person is found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of chapter 96.
(2) Any person whose watercraft license has been suspended may request a hearing to contest the suspension.
a. The request for a hearing shall be in writing and be directed to the city's code hearing department.
b. The hearing shall be held within 21 days of the city's receipt of the request for hearing.
c. The hearing shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 39 of the 1988 City of Springfield Code of Ordinances, as amended.
(Ord. No. 404-07-04, § 1, 7-20-04; Ord. No. 279-8-11, § 1, 8-3-11; Ord. No. 333-08-19, § 1(Exh. A), 8-7-19)
Source: City of Springfield, Illinois, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/il/springfield/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIXGERE_CH96LASP_ARTIIIREAC_DIV2WABOAC_S96.040ISBOLICOFEFetched: 11/8/2026