Motorized Boat Launches

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Get launched! Seattle has more pleasure boats per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.. Seattle Parks and Recreation manages seven motorized boat launches on Puget Sound, Lake Washington, and the Ship Canal. A permit is required for anybody using a ramp lane regardless of where you park your vehicle and trailer.  

Launch Permit: $6

A single-day launch permit is good until midnight of the date purchased.

To pay the $6 fee, you can use the yellow fee machine OR the kiosk.

1. Yellow fee machine
    • Pay $6 (cash only)
    • Display the permit on your dashboard.

OR                             

2. Kiosk
    • Place $6 (cash or check) in the
       colored envelope available at the kiosk.
    • Retain the flap for proof of payment.
    • Place the envelope in the metal canister.
    • Display the flap on your dashboard. The date
       must be clearly displayed to be considered valid.

Overnight Permit: $8 per night

In addition to the $6 launch fee, you can purchase an overnight permit for $8 per night (4 nights maximum).

• At kiosk, place money (cash or check) in the colored envelope available at the kiosk.
• Retain the flap for proof of payment.
• Place the envelope in the metal canister.
• Display the flap on your dashboard. The date must be clearly displayed to be considered valid.

Annual Permit: $96 (or, with overnight parking, $132)

An annual permit costs $96.
An annual permit with overnight parking privileges—up to but not exceeding four consecutive nights—costs $132.

» Permit Application (PDF)

Annual boat launch permits can be purchased via phone, fax, mail or in person, using cash, check, or credit card.

• Phone: (206) 684-7249
• Fax: (206) 684-4853
• Mail: Frequent Boater Launching Permit, Citywide Aquatics, 860 Terry Ave N., Seattle, Washington 98109
• In person: We are located in Lake Union Park in the former Naval Reserve Building at 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, Washington 98109 (> view directions)

*Note: To view a PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download it for free at www.adobe.com.