GENERAL PROVISIONS.

Austin City Code tit. 8, ch. 8-5, art. 1

in effect

Austin City Code § 8-5-1 DEFINITIONS.

§ 8-5-1 - DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) DESIGNATED OFFICIAL means a peace officer employed by the city, employee of the Watershed Protection Department, or the health authority. (2) HOUSEBOAT means a flat-bottomed or nearly flat-bottomed watercraft that is fitted for sleeping, cooking, cruising, or recreation. The term includes a barge or raft with an enclosed structure. (3) INFLATABLE FLOTATION DEVICE means an inner tube or other water recreational form or apparatus that is inflated with air or foam and is non- navigable. This term includes inflatable chaise loungers, air mattresses, and other inflatable devices. (4) LAKE AUSTIN means the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries impounded by Tom Miller Dam and located within the city. (5) LAKE LONG means Lake Walter E. Long, also known as Decker Lake. (6) MARINA has the meaning assigned to it by Section 25-2-4 (Commercial Uses Described). (7) MOTORBOAT means a watercraft propelled by an internal combustion engine or electric motor and includes a seaplane. (8) NAVIGABLE RECREATIONAL APPARATUS means an apparatus that is capable of being guided or steered against swiftly flowing and fluctuating water levels. (9) SWIM means swim, bathe, wade, and or otherwise immerse one's body in water. (10) LADY BIRD LAKE means the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries impounded by Longhorn Dam. (11) WATERCRAFT means a boat or other structure designed to float on water, and includes a barge, marina, or similar floating object. Source: 1992 Code Section 14-1-1; Ord. 031009-11; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20131017-011; Ord. No. 20190307-014, Pts. 5, 9, 3-18-19.

Austin City Code § 8-5-2 NAVIGATION CONTROL ZONES.

§ 8-5-2 - NAVIGATION CONTROL ZONES. (A) Navigation control zones are established on Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and Lake Long, including the creeks, sloughs, and coves appurtenant to the lakes. The navigation control zones and the regulations applicable in each zone are as follows: (1) DANGER indicates a zone within which a person should use caution. (2) FISHING ONLY indicates a zone in which a person may not use the water for a purpose other than fishing. (3) KEEP OUT indicates a zone that a person may not enter. (4) NO PROP BOATS indicates a zone in which a person may not operate a propeller-driven boat. (5) NO SCUBA indicates a zone in which a person may not use a self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. (6) NO SKIING indicates a zone in which a person may not use a watercraft to tow a person on water skis or a similar apparatus. (7) NO SWIMMING indicates a zone in which a person may not enter the water, except in a watercraft or while skiing. (8) SKIN DIVING ONLY indicates a zone in which a person may not use the water for a purpose other than skin diving. (9) SKI ONLY indicates a zone in which a person may not enter the water or operate a watercraft except for the purpose of water skiing. (10) SLOW - NO WAKE indicates a zone in which a person may not operate a watercraft at a speed that creates a foaming or churning wake that curls or breaks. (B) The boundaries of the navigation control zones are depicted the "Navigation Control Zone Map" on file with the city clerk. (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), a navigation control zone boundary is formed by: (a) a shoreline, dam, pier, or other structure to which it is adjacent; (b) a perpendicular line from a shoreline, dam, pier, or structure to the nearest navigation buoy that marks the zone; or (c) a straight line between adjacent navigation buoys that mark the zone. (2) This paragraph applies to a navigation control zone that is indicated by a single navigation buoy or that has an unmarked boundary. The area immediately around a navigation buoy and from which the buoy can be read during daylight hours is included in the navigation control zone indicated by the buoy. Source: 1992 Code Section 14-1-3; Ord. 031009-11; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190307-014, Pt. 9, 3-18-19.

Austin City Code § 8-5-3 NAVIGATION BUOYS.

§ 8-5-3 - NAVIGATION BUOYS. (A) The city manager shall place navigation buoys in Lake Austin, Lady Bird Lake, and Lake Long to serve as navigation aids or mark navigation control zones. (B) A person may not: (1) remove, relocate, deface, or tamper with a navigation buoy; or (2) moor a boat to a navigation buoy. (C) A person shall comply with a regulation indicated by a navigation buoy. Source: 1992 Code Section 14-1-4; Ord. 031009-11; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. No. 20190307-014, Pt. 9, 3-18-19.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT8PARE_CH8-5WAACUS_ART1GEPRFetched: 10/27/2026