Floating Cabins

Coastal Floating Cabin Permit Program

• Senate Bill 1573 of the 77th Texas Legislature created the Coastal Floating Cabin Program and placed it under the authority of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
• Structures used for habitation or shelter on fresh water must comply with any applicable regulations set by the local waterbody authority with jurisdiction for the water in which the structure is placed. For more information, please contact the waterbody with jurisdiction.

Floating Cabin Permits

• Effective September 1, 2001, it is a violation to own, maintain or use a floating cabin in coastal water that is not permitted by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
• "Coastal Water" relating to floating cabin permits is defined in 31 TAC Sec. 65.3(15).
• "Floating Cabin" is defined as a structure securely moored in the coastal water of this state used for habitation or shelter and not routinely used for transportation. The term includes all mooring lines, anchors, anchor lines, spuds, and pilings and any other tethering devices. The term does not include a structure permitted by the General Land Office under Chapter 33, Natural Resources Code.
• The attachment of an outboard motor and registration with TPWD as a vessel does not remove the requirement for a floating cabin permit if the cabin cannot be used or is not routinely used for transportation.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department does not release the names or contact information for any of its permit holders to the general public.

Permit Requirements

• No new permits are issued per state law. Only permits issued on structures that were in place prior to August 31, 2001 will be allowed in the program.
• A floating cabin cannot be located in a state park, state wildlife refuge, state wildlife sanctuary, state coastal preserve, or within 500 feet of a structure permitted by the GLO or other TPWD permit cabin.
• The owner of a floating cabin cannot allow the cabin to obstruct navigation, damage an oyster reef, serpulid reef, seagrass bed or rest on the bottom or shoreline at high tide.
• A permit holder may relocate their floating cabin only after submitting a relocation request on a department approved form and receiving the department’s approval for the new location.
• A floating cabin may be rebuilt, repaired or replaced by the owner but cannot increase in size as originally permitted. Those wishing to replace or rebuild their permitted cabin must submit to the department a rendering of the proposed new structure to be built with associated measurements which must be approved by the department before the replacement occurs.
• A floating cabin permit may be transferred with written notice, on a department approved form, to TPWD and payment of a $300 transfer fee.
• A floating cabin permit holder must display on the outside of the cabin area, on two opposite sides, the permit number. The number shall be attached to or painted in block arabic letters of good proportion in contrasting color to the background and be at least three inches in height. The assigned permit numbering pattern consists of the prefix "FC" followed by a combination of numerals and an annual validation sticker. The group of numerals appearing between the letters and validation sticker shall be separated by a hyphen or equivalent space.
• Each floating cabin must exhibit an orange reflector measuring a minimum of three inches. Reflectors shall be mounted on the outer 1/3 portion of each side of the floating cabin in a manner allowing an unobstructed view from an approach to the side.
• A floating cabin must be equipped with a portable marine sanitation device. The device shall be constructed so as to prevent the overboard discharge of treated or untreated sewage or any waste derived from sewage and shall be designed for removal of waste materials by authorized pumping or removal of a liquid-tight storage container for onshore discharge.
• A floating cabin must exhibit a white light visible 360 degrees from sunset to sunrise.
• Failure to remove a cabin from coastal water after notice can result in a criminal fine and/or civil penalty of up to $1000 per day.

For more information contact our Floating Cabin Program Manager, Lieutenant Bryan Baronet, at (325) 792-6440. For the Program’s Administrative Assistant please contact (512) 389-4850.