Last reviewed October 18, 2026 by Sean McConnell, Team Leader, McConnell Group
What is moorage and why does it matter as much as the home?
Moorage is the water space your home sits in and the right to stay there. For a floating home or FOWR, how you hold that space (owned through a co-op or condo, or rented) shapes your monthly bill, your loan options and how secure your spot is. Review it before you commit to the house.
Rented slip vs co-op vs condo
There are three common ways to hold moorage in Seattle. Floating homes are mostly on co-op or condo docks. Houseboats mostly lease marina slips.
Leased slip
Someone else owns the slip and you pay rent. Most houseboats lease marina slips month to month or yearly, with liveaboard permission the marina can take away.
Co-op
The co-op owns the land and dock. You own a membership share with exclusive use of your slip. The home itself is personal property.
Condominium
You own the home and your slip, plus a shared interest in the dock.
What do monthly fees usually cover?
It varies by dock. Common items are water, sewer, garbage and dock upkeep, and houseboat marinas often add a liveaboard fee on top of slip rent. Always ask for the list in writing, because two docks with the same fee can cover very different things.
What did owners pay on average?
In a 2022 analysis, floating home owners paid about $550 a month in dues on average. Source: Houseboats of Seattle FAQ
Real examples from listings
Recent listings show how much dues and slip fees swing from one dock to the next. The dated examples, with sources, are in the guide.
Dues on a floating home dock are set by the co-op or condo association and can cover common area, sewer, trash and water. Houseboat slip fees are set by the marina. For example, a Portage Bay floating home (MLS 2409106) that sold on Aug 1, 2025 listed HOA dues of $700 a month covering common area, sewer, trash and water. Source: Washington Waterfronts: 3258 Portage Bay Pl E (MLS 2409106)
Property taxes and other costs
Floating homes and houseboats are personal property with King County, so there is no sales tax like a car or boat purchase. Property tax is based on assessed value, which is usually below market. Source: Houseboats of Seattle FAQ Source: Lake Life Seattle: Floating Home Buying Guide (2026)
What does Seattle's Equity Ordinance protect?
The Equity Ordinance (SMC 7.20, Floating Home Moorages) covers floating homes on rented moorage sites. It limits evictions to listed causes and lets lessees petition for Hearing Examiner review of fee increases above inflation. Ask a real estate attorney how it applies to a specific moorage.
Questions to ask the dock or marina before you buy
Get these answers in writing. They tell you more about your future monthly bill than the listing does.
FAQ
Add up your own monthly number
Loan, dues, insurance, taxes and upkeep in one place.