WATERWAYS

Grand Rapids City Code tit. IX, ch. 154

in effect

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.181 Definitions.

Sec. 9.181. - Definitions. In the interpretation of this Chapter the following definitions shall apply. (1) Boat is any vessel or watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water, but shall not include any documented vessel, government owned vessel or vessel from any country other than the United States. (2) Waterway is any waters, waterway, lake, river, canal or connecting waters within the boundaries of the City, and under its jurisdiction.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.182 Pollution.

Sec. 9.182. - Pollution. No person shall put into the waters of any waterway or on the ice covering any of said waters, any filth of any description, or throw or deposit or permit to be deposited or placed in any of the waters of any waterway, or on ice covering said waters, any glass, cans or bottles, any metal object, rubbish, garbage, refuse, sewage, or any other substance likely to injure any person, fish, bird or animal, or cause any unsightly or unsanitary conditions, either in or upon said waters or on the shoreline adjacent thereto.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.183 Obstructions.

Sec. 9.183. - Obstructions. No person shall place any obstruction, or permit the placing of any obstruction, within any waterway which would tend to endanger or impede navigation or the flow of such waterway. Any person offending against the provisions of this Section shall be liable to the City of Grand Rapids for all costs and expenses incurred by it in the removal of such obstruction, in addition to the punishment prescribed in Chapter 1.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.184 Encroachment.

Sec. 9.184. - Encroachment. No person shall fill any land or place any structure beyond the established dock lines of the City, or beyond the existing shoreline of the waterway where no dock line has been established.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.185 Gathering Clams.

Sec. 9.185. - Gathering Clams. No person shall engage in gathering clams from the bed of Grand River from Leonard Street Bridge north to the north limits of the City of Grand Rapids by means of a dredge, hooks or other methods that will disturb the sediment in the bottom of the river, or any vegetation growing therein.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.186 Bathing and Swimming.

Sec. 9.186. - Bathing and Swimming. (1) No person shall bathe, swim or enter the waters of Grand River, the canals on either side thereof, or any other public waterway within the limits of the City of Grand Rapids at any place, locality and time, except such as have been designated by an order of the City Manager; provided, however, that this Section shall not apply to any person whose trade, business or occupation requires him or her to so enter said waters. (2) The City Manager shall in his or her discretion from time to time adopt regulations designating the places or localities and time in which bathing and swimming shall be lawful, and shall provide such guards and protection therefor as he or she shall deem expedient and proper.

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.187 Fishing Prohibited.

Sec. 9.187. - Fishing Prohibited. No person shall catch, kill or attempt to catch any fish within, upon or adjacent to an area of the Grand River located between Sixth Street and I-196 having as its boundary on the north, the north line of Fourth Street extended easterly, and as its boundary on the south, a line sixty (60) feet south of the south face of the Fish Ladder and thirty (30) feet from the east face of the Fish Ladder and adjacent spectator viewing area on the west bank of the Grand River. No person shall engage in fishing within any area of the City of Grand Rapids or in the Grand River where signs have been posted prohibiting fishing. Such signs shall be placed within one hundred (100) feet of the bank along such prohibited area. (Ord. No. 75-77, 8-19-75; Ord. No. 97-53, § 1, 11-18-97)

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.188 Life Preservers.

Sec. 9.188. - Life Preservers. Every person who shall be in or upon the Grand River for the purpose of fishing or attempting to catch fish during the hours between sunset in the evening and sunrise in the morning in any area of the City of Grand Rapids shall wear a life preserver or lifebelt or ring buoy or other device of this sort prescribed by the regulations of the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. (Ord. No. 75-98, 11-25-75)

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.189 Boats Prohibited at Sixth Street Bridge to Fourth Street Dam.

Sec. 9.189. - Boats Prohibited at Sixth Street Bridge to Fourth Street Dam. No person shall enter the water of the Grand River in any boat, canoe or other craft on the waters thereof in the area between the Sixth Street Bridge and the Fourth Street Dam for the purpose of fishing or attempting to catch fish. (Ord. No. 75-98, 11-25-75)

Grand Rapids City Code § 9.190 Standing, Walking or Climbing Upon the Fourth Street Dam Prohibited.

Sec. 9.190. - Standing, Walking or Climbing Upon the Fourth Street Dam Prohibited. No person shall stand, walk, or climb upon the Fourth Street Dam, or any appurtenance thereto, in the waters of the Grand River. (Ord. No. 79-68, 10-16-79)

Source: City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mi/grand_rapids/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIOLRE_CH154WAFetched: 11/7/2026