SEA-MC tit. 16, ch. 16.40 — ANCHORAGES | Seattle Municipal Code (Supp. No. 44: codified through Ordinance No. 127459, passed June 30, 2026) — Seattle

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.40.010 Submerged street area—Unlawful uses.

16.40.010 - Submerged street area—Unlawful uses. A. It shall be unlawful for the master or other person in charge of any vessel, water sport craft or obstruction to anchor, tie or make fast the same: 1. In any submerged street area with a public dock or boat launching or loading area for a longer period of time than reasonably sufficient to load, unload, launch or land the same unless so authorized by rules and regulations posted for the use of such public dock or boat launching or loading area; 2. In any portion of a submerged street area designated by written permit for the use of another without the written consent of the permit holder; or 3. In any other submerged street area for a longer period of time than reasonably sufficient to load, unload, or repair the same other than as authorized in advance by a written permit granted by the Director of Transportation pursuant to Section 16.40.020 or as authorized as anchorage for a vessel or obstruction by the Chief of Police pursuant to Section 16.40.030. B. No use of a submerged street area shall be made by permit or otherwise which unreasonably restricts water access to adjacent privately owned or controlled property. (Ord. 120023 § 74, 2000: Ord. 111310 § 1, 1983: Ord. 100171 § 8, 1971: Ord. 94587, § 5, 1966; Ord. 87983, § 28, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.40.020 Submerged street area—Use permit.

16.40.020 - Submerged street area—Use permit. The Director of Transportation may authorize the use and occupation of all or any portion of a submerged street area by use and occupation permit processed and issued in accordance with Ordinance 90047, [5] as now or hereafter amended. Such a permit may authorize use of either a specific area of a submerged street or use of submerged street area by certain vessels or obstructions. (Ord. 120023 § 75, 2000: Ord. 100171 § 10, 1971; Ord. 87983, § 66, 1959.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 16.40.030 Anchorages designated.

16.40.030 - Anchorages designated. Recreational anchorage is authorized only pursuant to subsection F of this section. In aid of commerce and navigation anchorage for vessels or obstructions is authorized in the following described waters: A. Elliott Bay Anchorage. Beginning at the northeast corner of Harbor Island; thence northerly and in a straight line to a point intersecting a line drawn along the south side of King Street; thence west on said line to a point intersecting the east line of the West Waterway; thence along said east line to the northwest corner of Harbor Island; also, beginning at a point of intersection of the outer harbor line with a straight line drawn along the west line of the West Waterway; thence north to a point intersecting a straight line drawn along the south side of Dearborn Street; thence in a westerly direction to a junction with a line along the south side of California Place. B. Smith Cove Anchorage. Beginning at a point at the junction of the outer harbor line and a line drawn along the north side of Denny Way, thence westerly on said line for a distance of approximately two thousand (2,000) feet; thence in a northwesterly direction paralleling the outer harbor line to a point intersecting a straight line drawn along the east side of Pier 88. C. Shilshole Bay Anchorage. All of that area enclosed by the south pier and the breakwater established north of the channel at the west entrance to the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Shilshole Bay. D. Salmon Bay Anchorage. Beginning at a point at the junction of the outer harbor line and a straight line drawn along the south side of Sheridan Street, thence in a southeasterly direction in a straight line to a point at the intersection of the outer harbor line and the Great Northern bridge. E. Portage Bay Anchorage. East and south of a line extending approximately six hundred (600) feet westerly in extension of the south channel line of the Lake Washington Ship Canal which is immediately west of the Montlake Cut, thence southerly in extension of the east side of Fourteenth Avenue North to the south shoreline of Portage Bay. Provided, that in addition to the above described anchorages, whenever deemed advisable by the Chief of Police he may grant a written permit to the master or owner of any vessel or obstruction for the anchorage or mooring of the same outside of the outer harbor line, or in any waterway or in any street end on Lake Union at such locations as he shall determine will not interfere with or impede navigation. F. Lake Washington Andrews Bay Anchorage. Within an area marked by buoys or, in the eastern shore of the bay, by stakes or signs, which shall be set within an area bounded on the north by a straight line which is drawn between a point on the west coast of the Bailey Peninsula that is one hundred (100) yards south of the fishing pier (the northeast corner) and a point one hundred fifty (150) yards easterly of the western shore of Andrews Bay along a straight line drawn from the northeast corner to the surfaced boat ramp at the foot of Ferdinand Street on the western shore of Andrews Bay (the northwest corner); on the south by a straight line which is drawn between a point on the west coast of the Bailey Peninsula that is a straight line extension of South Dawson Street (the southeast corner) and a point one hundred fifty (150) yards easterly of the western shore of Andrews Bay along a straight line extension of South Brandon Street (the southwest corner); and on the west by a straight line drawn between the northwest corner and the southwest corner described above, limited to a period not to exceed seventy-two (72) hours within any one week period. In addition to the Andrews Bay anchorage, whenever deemed advisable by the Chief of Police, he or she may grant a written permit to the master or owner of any vessel for the anchorage or mooring of said vessel outside of the outer harbor line, or in any unused slip, or in any street end on Lake Washington at such locations as he shall determine will not interfere with or impede navigation. (Ord. 120023 § 76, 2000: Ord. 118570 § 1, 1997; Ord. 87983, § 29, 1959.)