New York, NY Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Non-resident rental cap
- 40% of berths/moorings
- Berths per dwelling unit
- 1 max
- Off-site berths
- contiguous, common-owned lot only
- Governing law
- NYC Zoning Resolution § 62-23
Summary
NYC zoning treats a private boat dock or mooring as an accessory use to a home, and caps how much of it can be rented out to non-residents at 40 percent of the berths.
Berths or moorings for non-commercial pleasure boats provided as an accessory use to a residential use may be rented to persons who are not occupants of the residences to which such berths or moorings are accessory, for the accommodation of the non-commercial pleasure boats used by such non-residents, provided that: (a) not more than 40 percent of such berths or moorings are so occupied by non-residents...(d) the total number of accessory berths or moorings does not exceed the total number of dwelling units to which they are accessory.
Full Breakdown
Under Zoning Resolution § 62-23, a berth or mooring for a non-commercial pleasure boat is only an accessory use when it serves the residence it's attached to. Section 62-231 lets owners rent out unused berths to non-residents, but no more than 40 percent of total berths or moorings citywide, capped at one per dwelling unit, and (outside Manhattan Community Boards 1-8) each rented berth needs its own added off-street parking space. Docks on a separate lot are allowed only if that lot is contiguous to the residence and under common ownership. A separate DOB construction permit and DEC/Army Corps waterway sign-off apply on top of this zoning cap.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the 40 percent non-resident rental cap or renting a berth without the required parking space is a zoning noncompliance, enforceable by DOB stop-work or vacate orders and civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my backyard boat slip to a stranger?
Does zoning let me put a dock on the lot next door?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New York
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