Is a floating house a vessel?

This decision by the US Supreme Court clarifies the issue in the USA.
https://towboatlaw.wordpress.com/20...rying-people-or-things-on-water-not-a-vessel/

 

since its not vessel would that mean it's liable for housing taxes?

 

It depends on the jurisdiction. In some places, like South Florida, they tax them like houses if they are tied to shore. On the bright side, they can get water, electricity and sewage services like any house. I think many other jurisdictions are going to look at this decision and use it to collect taxes or regulate them. Floating casinos are going to have a problem.

 

This is a big issue in Seattle where there are hundreds of "houseboats". These are literally a house on a barge. Many have no means of propulsion. Most are required to be hooked to water and sewage, and they have city electricity as well. But if it has an engine and is capable of moving on it's own it is a boat. This has been fought over as long as I can remember (I grew up here) and still leads to battles between the owners and the city.

 

There is legal clarification now. I don't know how liveaboards on a powerboat without engines will be classified.

 

What exactly is a powerboat without engines?.

 

A restoration project/hobby?

 

A liveaboard

 

I see, a restoration boat before mounting the engine.

No engines in liveboards?

 

No. Liveaboards have no need of an engine. It take space and smells, so it is better to remove it.

 

Men's Help Line


HELP LINE: " Hello my name is Bob how can I help you?"

Caller: " Hi Bob, I really need your advice on a serious problem.

"I have suspected for some time now that my wife has been cheating on me. The usual signs: if the phone rings and I answer, the caller hangs up; she goes out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep.

"Anyway, last night about midnight I hid in the shed behind the boat. When she came home she got out of someone's car buttoning her blouse, then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on. It was at that moment crouched behind the boat that I noticed a hairline crack in the outboard engine mounting bracket.

"Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace the whole bracket?"

 

Let's stay on topic please

 

Awww come on Gonzo. A little humor is refreshing. I thought that to be a nifty boatmans joke.

Back to the general subject................ Not too long ago there were a number of houses built on stilts out in the middle of Biscayne bay (Miami). The tax authorities and the owners of the unique dwellings had a round of arguments that were interesting to observe.

There was once, maybe still, a whole community of floating homes in the Seattle area. Maybe some are still there. I do wonder what the zoning rules and taxing regulations were/are.

 

In the Florida keys they make a distinction. The difference seems to be whether the utilities are permanent or not.

 

They are still there. http://www.seattleafloat.com/ just one of several websites devoted to the Seattle houseboat community.

Here's another http://seattlefloatinghomes.org/