MIDDLE TOWNSHIP LOOKS TO REGULATE USE OF HOUSEBOATS
When most people think of a houseboat, they might picture a run-down boat, questionably seaworthy. But the appeal of houseboats in America has never been more popular. From newly constructed contemporary-style abodes to restored barges or canal boats, an increasing number of new and refurbished vessels are appearing in local waters.
Business owners in Middle Township have approached the municipality to discuss plans to moor houseboats at local marinas that could be utilized as short-term rentals.
The Township realized the need to license and regulate this on water “Airbnb” style concept in order to ensure safe and sanitary operations. Township Committee took official action to address these concerns at their September 4th meeting; passing an ordinance to amend the code of the Township of Middle to specifically regulate houseboats.
Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy, who serves on the Planning Board and oversees the Construction and Zoning Offices, recognized the Township’s staff and professionals for their efforts to address this new and complex scenario.
“I applaud Administrator Kim Osmundsen and her team for taking a proactive approach to addressing this new short-term rental concept on our beautiful waterways,” Gandy said. “We certainly want to encourage this creative opportunity to offer access to waterfront rentals while ensuring the same regulations we enforce for traditional rental properties are adapted and formally adopted to apply to houseboat operators.”
To begin with, Township passed a ban on floating homes, defined as a structure which is designed or modified to be used as a stationary waterborne residential dwelling with no marine engine and which does not move about from place to place. Per the amendment to the code, floating homes are prohibited.
A houseboat is defined as a waterborne vessel, shallow draft vessel or boat powered by a marine engine which can move about from place to place in water, fitted with living accommodations designed and intended to be used for on-site living. No person, firm or corporation shall carry on the business of mooring or renting a houseboat in the Township of Middle unless the marina operator receives a houseboat license. The license may be granted only by Middle Township Committee, by resolution.
The annual license for houseboat rentals/moorage will cover one calendar year and there shall be no reduction of the annual license fee for any period shorter than one calendar year. The annual license fee for a houseboat rental license shall be $500.00 plus $100.00 for each houseboat covered by the license as contained in the most recent license application. An annual fee shall also be required for fire prevention inspections for all rental units. An application for every houseboat license shall receive a recommendation from the Planning Board for site plan approval.
Applications and fees for annual renewal of houseboat licenses shall be filed with the Township Clerk not later than December 1st of the expiring license year.
Houseboats are permitted only in commercial marinas, provided that the maximum density of houseboat berths does not exceed 30% of the total number of berths in the marina. One parking space shall be provided for houseboats with two bedrooms or less. Two parking spaces shall be provided for houseboats with three or more bedrooms. The proposed development may not generate the need for extension or expansion of public facilities and services including schools, roads, police, fire, water and sewer.
Applicants for a houseboat license must provide detailed plans and information on managing trash removal, sourcing potable water and safely pumping and disposing of sewage and wastewater. The Township Code Enforcement Official and all inspectors of the Construction Official’s office, Township Engineer, Fire Prevention Bureau and the Township Committee or any authorized officials are authorized to make inspections to determine whether any health laws and ordinances are being violated and may enter any facility to make any inspection.
Violations of the amended ordinance will be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding ninety days or a period of community service not to exceed ninety days, in the discretion of the municipal court.
