Can I rent out my houseboat on Airbnb in Seattle?

No, not as a short-term rental. Per SDCI, floating residences may not be used as short-term rentals under 30 nights (SMC 23.42.060). Rentals of 30 days or longer depend on the rules of your dock or marina, so read the co-op, condo or slip agreement before you count on any rental income.

Can you get a mortgage on a floating home in Seattle?

Yes, from a short list of portfolio lenders that keep these loans on their own books. Fannie Mae will not buy a loan on a houseboat, so terms are set by each lender.

Can you finance a houseboat (FOWR)?

Sometimes, but options are very limited. Some sellers offer financing, and many houseboat buyers pay cash.

Does homeowners insurance cover a floating home?

No. A standard homeowners policy does not cover a floating home, so you need a floating property policy. Federal flood insurance (NFIP) excludes buildings entirely in, on or over water, and premiums are quote-based.

Do I need a marine survey or dive inspection before buying?

Usually yes. Lenders require a dive (float) inspection on floating homes, and houseboats get a marine survey with a haul-out. Insurers may ask for a survey on older homes.

Floating homes reflected in calm lake water at dusk

Seattle Houseboats and Floating HomesLive on the water in Seattle. Understand the full cost first.

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507 floating homes on 70 docks 4 legal types of floating residence Loans come from a few portfolio lenders

Cover of the free guide How to Buy a Floating Home in Seattle

Free 24-page PDF guide

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507 floating homes on 70 docks

Source: Floating Homes Association

3 to 4% sell each year

Source: Lake Life Seattle

I'm Sean McConnell. Across our full practice, my team's record is 2,000+ closed deals and $1.7B in total sales volume. Floating homes are a distinct market, and this guide covers what every buyer should understand before purchasing on the water.

Blurred preview of the moorage and dues pages — Inside the guide

Blurred preview of the buying timeline pages — Inside the guide

Free guide

What's inside the guide

The four legal types, and which one you're buying
Houseboat vs floating home, side by side
Where the floating home docks are
What moorage and dock dues cover
Taxes, insurance, utilities and upkeep
How the loans work and who lends
From first look to keys, step by step
A monthly cost worksheet and the most common buyer mistakes

24 pages. Every number has a source.

Seattle's four legal types of floating residence

Seattle code recognizes four types of floating residence, apart from liveaboards on regular recreational boats. The type determines your loan, your insurance and where the home can sit. Source: Seattle SDCI: Floating Residences

Floating home

A single-family dwelling built on a float and secured in the water, in a legally established floating home moorage with direct sewer and water connections. Washington law says it is not a vessel, even if it could be towed.

SMC 23.60A.202, per Seattle SDCI

Floating on-water residence (FOWR)

A vessel or other floating structure used mainly as a residence, with detachable utilities. The owner must have held marina space since before July 1, 2014. This is what most people in Seattle mean by houseboat.

SMC 23.60A.203, per Seattle SDCI

House barge

Allowed only if it was moored at a Seattle recreational marina before July 1990 and has been used as a residence continuously since, with SDCI verification.

SMC 23.60A.204, per Seattle SDCI

Vessel with a dwelling unit

A craft designed for navigation that contains a dwelling unit. Like house barges, these are rare.

SMC 23.60A.214, per Seattle SDCI

Floating home definition from RCW 90.58.270. Source: RCW 90.58.270, Washington State Legislature

Questions buyers ask

The house is only half the decision. The dock, the dues and the loan matter just as much.

Where are Seattle's floating homes?

Mostly around Lake Union and Portage Bay. The Floating Homes Association counts 70 docks supporting 507 floating homes, mainly in Eastlake, Westlake, Northlake, Portage Bay and the University District. Houseboats sit mostly in marinas, including along the Ship Canal. Source: Floating Homes Association: Locations

Approximate area, not exact dock locations. Map markers show general areas, not dock addresses.

Aerial view of a lake shoreline lined with wooden docks and floating homes

Lake Union

The hub. Floating home docks sit on the east, west and north shores, and the Ship Canal runs west toward Fremont and Ballard.

Wooden dock walkway lined with floating homes and flower planters

Portage Bay

East of Lake Union near the University Bridge and SR 520. Docks line Fuhrman Ave E and Portage Bay Pl E.

Cedar deck of a modern floating home with two kayaks and calm water

Eastlake

East shore along Fairview Ave E. Many floating home docks sit directly on the Cheshiahud Loop.

Marina with boxy modern houseboats moored in slips along a wooden pier

Westlake

West shore along Westlake Ave N. A mix of floating home docks and marinas with houseboats.

Modern floating homes at dusk with warm lights reflecting on a calm lake

Northlake

North shore along N Northlake Way near Gas Works Park and the Burke-Gilman Trail.

Life on the water

Seattle's floating home docks

Floating home docks and calm water at dawn

Floating home interior overlooking the water

Seattle floating homes and lake reflections at dusk

Marina with houseboats moored in slips along a wooden pier

Houseboats for sale now

Supply is limited, and some homes sell without a public listing. Tell me what you are looking for, and I will send the homes that fit.

Get the free guide: How to Buy a Floating Home in Seattle

The four legal types, clearly explained
What moorage and dues cost, and how insurance is priced
How the loans work and who lends
Every step from first tour to keys

Free 24-page guide

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Not sure the water is for you? Take the 90-second neighborhood quiz

Keep reading

Houseboat vs Floating Home

What Seattle law says about the four types.

Read

Moorage, Fees and Dues

Rented slip, co-op or condo, and what fees cover.

Read

Financing

How floating home loans work.

Read

Insurance

Why homeowners policies don't fit, and what does.

Read

Monthly Cost Calculator

Add up the whole bill with your own numbers.

Read

Neighborhoods Map

Where the docks and marinas are.

Read