Last reviewed October 18, 2026 by Sean McConnell, Team Leader, McConnell Group
Where are the floating homes in Lake Union?
Floating homes in Seattle sit mainly around Lake Union and Portage Bay. The Floating Homes Association counts 70 docks supporting 507 floating homes, spread across Eastlake on the east shore, Westlake on the west shore, Northlake on the north shore, and Portage Bay and the University District to the east.
Lake Union is the center of it. Each shore has its own docks, its own rules and its own mix of floating homes and houseboats. The area pages below cover each one. Source: Floating Homes Association: Locations
Floating homes or houseboats? What you'll find here
Both. Lake Union has docks of floating homes and marinas with houseboats. Lake Life Seattle counts 215 floating on-water residences (FOWRs) on Lake Union, so a "houseboat" listing here is often a FOWR in a marina slip. Always check whether a listing is a floating home or a FOWR, because that changes the loan, the insurance and the moorage.
Moorage types on these docks
It varies by dock, so check each one. Floating homes are mostly on co-op or condo moorage. Houseboats mostly lease marina slips, month to month or yearly, with liveaboard permission the marina can take away. Read the co-op, condo or slip documents before you write an offer. Source: Lake Life Seattle: Floating Home Buying Guide (2026) Source: Houseboats of Seattle FAQ
Getting around
The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop is a walking and biking loop around the lake, and several shores sit directly on it. Seaplanes take off and land on Lake Union, so some docks hear them. Parking and storage vary dock by dock, and many docks have very little.
A dated example
Recent dues and slip fee examples, with dates, are in the guide.
The Ship Canal: what to know
The Lake Washington Ship Canal connects Lake Union west toward Fremont and Ballard. Most residences on this stretch are in marinas, so check whether a listing is a floating home or a FOWR. A marina slip usually means a lease, a liveaboard permission and a small lender list, so plan for that early.
Lake Union areas
Portage Bay
East of Lake Union near the University Bridge and SR 520. Docks line Fuhrman Ave E and Portage Bay Pl E.
Eastlake
East shore along Fairview Ave E. Many floating home docks sit directly on the Cheshiahud Loop.
Westlake
West shore along Westlake Ave N. A mix of floating home docks and marinas with houseboats.
Northlake
North shore along N Northlake Way near Gas Works Park and the Burke-Gilman Trail.
Rules that apply on every dock
Seattle code sets a few rules for every floating residence, wherever it sits. Each verified residence has a unique 3-digit City number it must display. No floating residence may be used as a short-term rental under 30 nights (SMC 23.42.060). Floating homes need direct sewer and water connections, must have been legally established or permitted by June 15, 2015, and need an SDCI permit before exterior repair, remodel, expansion or rebuild.
A FOWR is a vessel or other floating structure used mainly as a residence, with detachable utilities, and its owner must have held marina space since before July 1, 2014. Because no new floating homes are being added, supply in Lake Union stays limited, and it helps to have financing and insurance arranged before the right home is listed. Source: SDCI Tip 229 Source: RCW 90.58.270, Washington State Legislature Source: Seattle SDCI: Floating Residences Source: Lake Life Seattle: Floating Home Buying Guide (2026)
What to check before you buy here
Each dock has its own rules, budget and float condition.