Unless otherwise specified, the words and phrases used in this Chapter have the meanings given them in Chapter 5 of Division 3 (Section 650 et seq.) of the California Harbors and Navigation Code. The following words have the following meanings for purposes of this Chapter:
A. "Floating home" or "floating structure" means a watercraft or structure that has the following characteristics:
1. It is a stationary structure in, on, or above the water that is:
a. permanently grounded; or
b. supported by a flotation system and held in place by piling or mooring devices; or
c. placed on or otherwise affixed to a foundation, dock, piling, walkway, gangway, pier, barge, or other permanent structure.
2. It is incapable of being used for self-propelled navigation.
3. It is designed and built to be used, or is modified to be used, or is used, to serve purposes or provide services typically associated with a structure on or other improvement to real property. The term "floating home" or "floating structure" includes a structure that is used as a residence, place of business or office with public access, hotel or motel, restaurant or lounge, clubhouse, meeting facility, storage or parking facility, mining platform, or similar facility or structure represented as such.
Incidental or limited movement of a structure upon water or resting partially or entirely on the bottom does not preclude the structure from being classified as a floating home or floating structure for purposes of this Chapter. Registration of a structure as a vessel with the California Department of Motor Vehicles does not preclude the structure from being classified as a floating home or floating structure for purposes of this Chapter. Floating homes and floating structures are expressly excluded from the definition of the term "vessel" provided in this section.
B. "Garbage" has the meaning set forth in Health and Safety Code Section 117475.
C. "Houseboat", as used in this Chapter, means a vessel that has either a pontoon or flat-bottomed hull configuration, and has a permanent enclosed superstructure with sleeping and/or cooking facilities.
D. "Marine Sanitation Device" (MSD) is any Type I, II or III device approved under 33 Code of Federal Regulations Section 159.3 for the treatment or storage of sewage or waste from sewage.
E. "Moor" means to make fast, tie up, or otherwise secure a vessel other than by anchoring. "Moor" includes to attach to a dock, pilings, spud, walkway, gangway, pier, or other structure or to tie up to any actual object or feature.
F. "Permitted Dock" or "Permitted Marina" is any structure, floating platform or building, attached to land or floating on piles driven into the bottom of the waterway, designed for and used as a place to moor a vessel, and has received a County Use Permit or similar entitlement for that use.
G. "Seaworthy" means;
1. Capable of traveling on the waters within Yolo County under its own sailing or mechanical propulsion system and is able to maneuver and rescue itself should that be required to prevent it from sinking, grounding or becoming awash; or
2. Not in a deteriorated condition that would create a likelihood the vessel may sink or become awash; and,
3. Not creating a pollution or sanitation hazard should the vessel sink or become awash.
4. Not in a deteriorated condition that includes, but is not limited to, structural damage such as rot or delamination, or is taking on water and cannot maintain floatation.
H. "Sewage" has the meaning set forth in Harbors and Navigation Code Section 775.5(d).
I. "Shore" means that part of the land in immediate contact with a waterway, including the area between high-tide and low-tide marks or between high-water and low- water marks.
J. "To anchor" means to secure a vessel within a waterway by dropping an anchor, anchors or other ground tackle including blocks or pulleys, chain, cable or other types of anchor rode to the bottom of the waterway.
K. "Transitory vessel" means a vessel that is not regularly and lawfully moored or renting a mooring at a permitted marina or dock in Yolo County, or is transiting or vacationing in the waters of Yolo County, including trailered recreational vessels.
L. "Vessel" means every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on the water, including a seaplane on the water. Exceptions are watercraft specifically designed to operate on a permanently fixed course, the movement of which is restricted to a fixed track or arm to which the watercraft is attached or by which the watercraft is controlled. A "vessel" includes a barge, a dredge, a towboat and its tow, and a houseboat.
M. "Waterway" means any water, lake, river, creek, canal, lagoon, bay, inlet, slough, channel, or tributary situated within the county, or any water area situated within the county providing access for vessels to move from one place to another.
(§ 3, Ord. 1476, eff. December 22, 2016, as amended by § 2, Ord. 1513, eff. October 24, 2019)