Can Kayakers Paddle Through Floating Home Canals?

With summer in full swing on Lake Union, our neighborhood waterways are busier than ever. One question that comes up frequently at the Floating Homes Association is a foundational one: Are kayakers legally allowed to come down the canals between our homes?

Here is the short, sweet, and legally binding answer.

The Short Answer: Yes.

Legally speaking, the water flowing between our floating homes is a public highway. Whether a dock is resident-owned, a co-op, or sits on state aquatic land leased from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the water itself remains completely public.

What Does the Law Say?

Our right to enjoy our homes and the public's right to navigate the lake exist side-by-side under a few specific laws:

• The Water is Public Property: Under Article XVII, Section 1 of the Washington State Constitution, the state claims ownership of the beds of navigable lakes like Lake Union. The state holds these waters under the Public Trust Doctrine, which the Washington Supreme Court has explicitly ruled protects the public's right to use these waters for recreation, including boating and paddling.

• No Blocking the Canals: State law (RCW 88.28.050) makes it illegal for anyone to obstruct navigable channels. This means no dock or community can block off a canal to keep paddlers out.

• Where the Public Right Ends: The legal line is drawn exactly where the water meets our structures. Seattle Municipal Code (SMC 12A.08.040) strictly protects our logs, swim floats, finger piers, and main walkways. A paddler cannot legally tie up, step onto a dock, or touch private property without permission.

Security and Cameras

Because the canals are entirely public waterways, there is no legal expectation of privacy while on the water. If you have concerns about theft or security, you are generally within your rights to install security cameras on your property that monitor the canals. As a courtesy to your neighbors, however, be sure to position cameras so they don’t look into nearby windows.

In practice, our close-knit floating home community is a difficult place for criminals to operate. Neighbors keep an eye out for one another, and unfamiliar people lingering where they don’t belong tend to attract attention very quickly.

Keeping it Friendly on the Water

Living on a floating home means sharing an ecosystem where privacy is close-knit and the water is our front yard. Because sound carries incredibly well across the lake, the FHA always encourages a spirit of mutual respect and good neighborliness.

When you see paddlers passing through, a friendly wave goes a long way. Most folks exploring the canals are simply admiring the history and charm of our community. By keeping our interactions welcoming, we remind our lake neighbors that Seattle’s floating homes aren't just historic landmarks—they're friendly neighborhoods.

See you on the docks!