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WATER SPORTS

SEA-MC tit. 16, ch. 16.28
in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.28.010 Swimming.

16.28.010 - Swimming. Swimming in the harbor shall be prohibited except: A. In designated swimming areas; or B. Within a distance of fifty (50) feet from the shore or a pier unless the swimmer is accompanied by a vessel and within twenty-five feet of a vessel that has aboard a personal flotation device for each occupant of said vessel and for each accompanied swimmer. No swimming shall be permitted in the United States Government Locks, Montlake Cut, Fremont Cut, under any bridge, within the confines of any guidewall or within three hundred (300) feet of a ferry slip or boat launch ramp. (Ord. 120023 § 60, 2000; Ord. 87983, § 21, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.28.020 Skin diving or scuba diving permit—Areas required.

16.28.020 - Skin diving or scuba diving permit—Areas required. A. It shall be unlawful to engage in skin diving or scuba diving in the following areas of the harbor without a written permit issued by the Chief of Police therefor: 1. To the east of a line from the northwest corner of Harbor Island to the westernmost corner of the U.S. Naval property located in Smith Cove, in the waters of the Lake Washington Ship Canal from the mid-channel buoy in Shilshole Bay to Webster Point light, including the waters of Lake Union and Portage Bay, all of the inner moorage area of the Port of Seattle moorings at Shilshole Bay Marina, Elliott Bay Marina or any established marina moorage area other than within the confines of the individual slip while working on a specific vessel and within three hundred (300) feet of the perimeter of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration facility at Sand Point; or 2. Within three hundred (300) feet of any ferry slip, public boat ramp, patrolled public beach designated as a swimming area. Provided, that it shall be lawful to engage in skin diving or scuba diving without a written permit between one hundred fifty (150) feet and three hundred (300) feet of the southeast corner of the Seacrest Park boat dock, as further described as follows: Starting at the intersection of the inner harbor line with the north margin of SW Georgia Street, and continuing easterly along said north margin one hundred ten (110) feet; thence south thirty-eight (38) feet to the true point of beginning, which is the southeast corner of the Seacrest boat dock; thence one hundred fifty (150) feet from a line south 73°, 30', 0" east extending a distance of three hundred (300) feet. 3. Within one hundred and fifty (150) feet of any pier, dock, float or other shore installation at Seacrest Pier Marina. B. Anyone engaged in skin diving or scuba diving shall be accompanied by a vessel which shall display a diver's flag or the area in which the diving occurs shall be marked by an adequately displayed diver's flag. Use of the blue and white "Alpha" flag does not satisfy the requirement for a "diver's flag" as described in this title. (Ord. 120381, § 1, 2001; Ord. 120023 § 61, 2000: Ord. 109555 § 1, 1980: Ord.90653, § 6, 1961; Ord. 87983, § 22, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.28.025 Skin diving or scuba diving permit—Issuance.

16.28.025 - Skin diving or scuba diving permit—Issuance. A. The Chief of Police may issue permits authorizing skin diving and scuba diving for commercial or instructional purposes in harbor areas where skin diving or scuba diving would otherwise be prohibited. B. Permits may be issued for a particular occasion up to thirty (30) days in duration or for a year. Every permit shall describe the activity authorized and its location; each permit may contain such other terms and conditions as the Chief of Police deems to be in the public interest, including provisions for marking or lighting, for accommodating passage of vessels and for providing insurance or an indemnity in event of accident or injury. Diving permits shall be supplemental to waterway use permits when required by Chapter 16.60, and use permits for submerged street area when required by Ordinance 90047. [3] C. Except for emergencies to save life or prevent injury, no skin diving or scuba diving shall occur sooner than one-half (½) hour before sunrise or later than one-half (½) hour after sunset except by permit from the Chief of Police. D. All diving permits shall be subject to revocation upon noncompliance with the terms or conditions of the permit or the Harbor Code, [4] and to immediate suspension whenever the activities conducted interfere with free and proper navigation within the harbor. (Ord. 120023 § 62, 2000: Ord. 109555 § 2, 1980; Ord. 87983, § 76, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.28.030 Water skiing.

16.28.030 - Water skiing. A. No watercraft which shall have in tow or shall be otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or similar contrivances shall be operated or propelled in the harbor unless such watercraft shall be occupied by at least two (2) competent persons; provided, that this subsection shall not apply to watercraft used in duly authorized water-ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor. B. It shall be unlawful to water-ski or to tow or otherwise assist anyone on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or similar contrivance upon the following waters: 1. Within two hundred (200) yards of, or on, the waters of the Lake Washington Ship Canal or within two hundred (200) yards of any shoreline, pier, restricted area or shore installation on Lake Union; or 2. Upon the waters of Salmon Bay, Portage Bay, or Shilshole Bay; or to ski parallel within one hundred (100) yards of shore installations on Lake Washington and adjacent waters. Water skiers may start at a shore installation but must head away from shore to a point at least one hundred (100) yards, or two hundred (200) yards, as set forth above, before skiing parallel with the shore. The return to the shore must be on a ninety (90)-degree angle to the shoreline. C. No watercraft shall have in tow or shall otherwise be assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or similar contrivance from sunset to sunrise; provided, that this subsection shall not apply to watercraft used in duly authorized water-ski tournaments, competitions, expositions, or trials therefor. D. All watercraft having in tow or otherwise assisting a person on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or similar contrivance, shall be operated in a careful and prudent manner and shall remain at all times at a reasonable and prudent distance from the person and property of others. E. Any person on water skis, aquaplane, surfboard or similar contrivance shall conduct himself upon the same in a careful and prudent manner and shall remain at all times a reasonable and prudent distance from the person and property of others. (Ord. 91513, § 1, 1962; Ord. 90653, § 7, 1961; Ord. 87983, § 23, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.28.040 Water sport craft.

16.28.040 - Water sport craft. No person shall engage in the operation of or ride upon a water sport craft that is over fifty (50) feet from shore or a pier without wearing a personal flotation device. No person shall engage in the operation of or ride upon a water sport craft upon the waters of the United States Government Locks, Montlake Cut, Fremont Cut or under any bridge or within the confines of any guidewall or similar structure. (Ord. 120023 § 63, 2000.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT16HACO_CH16.28WASPFetched: 11/1/2026

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