Richland, WA Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)

Section 6.08.010 authorizes the city manager to grant Richland residents and organizations a nonexclusive right to anchor or attach a private mooring or docking facility on city-owned or leased land shown on the moorage site map kept by the Finance Director, limited to private pleasure craft. Section 6.08.020 requires an application to the Finance Director and sets the fee at $0.50 per foot of riparian frontage, running for the calendar year with no proration for a partial year. Section 6.08.030 conditions every city permit on the holder also obtaining and maintaining a dock or boat moorage permit from the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers for the reservoir area offshore of the site; the city permit becomes void 60 days after issuance unless the Corps permit is secured and the Finance Director notified in writing. Section 6.08.040 gives an existing permit holder first right of renewal the following year if they comply with all requirements and apply before April 1st; otherwise the site opens to a waiting list processed in application order. Section 6.08.050 lets the city terminate any permit on 30 days' written notice, or immediately and without liability if the Corps of Engineers withdraws its permit.

Section 6.08.060 makes it unlawful to attach a mooring or dock to city land without a valid permit, Section 6.08.070 bars transferring a permit to another person, and Section 6.08.080 limits permitted use to noncommercial recreation, requires the site be kept free of brush and debris, and bans any building, fence or other structure on the site.