The city of Bonney Lake, in the exercise of its police powers, assumes control and jurisdiction over all lakes, rivers and all other waters within its corporate boundaries.
( Formerly 16.16.005; Ord. 1366 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023)
The Pierce County watercraft regulations as set forth in Chapter 8.88 PCC and any amendments and additions thereto are hereby adopted by reference to the extent those regulations are not inconsistent with Chapters 79A.60 and 88.02 RCW, WAC Title 352, and Chapter 308-93 WAC; and with the exemption that all references to “Department” or “Sheriff” shall be enforced as the Bonney Lake Police Department, RCW 7.80.120 shall be applied to all references to infraction classifications of 1 through 4 as adopted by the Bonney Lake Municipal Code, and specified provisions of Chapter 8.88 PCC are explicitly not adopted and further defined by BLMC § 10.22.015. No person shall operate on any waters of the city, nor launch onto any waters of the city, any vessel not in compliance with said vessel regulations.
( Formerly 16.16.010; Ord. 636 § 2, 1991; Ord. 636B § 1, 1997; Ord. 1028 § 2, 2004; Ord. 1366 § 2, 2010; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023; Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
The following provisions of Pierce County Code (PCC) Chapter 8.88, as referenced in BLMC § 10.22.010, are not adopted by the City of Bonney Lake and shall have no force or effect within the corporate limits of the City:
PCC 8.88.150 Speed limits – Fresh water. |
PCC 8.88.360 Personal watercraft. |
PCC 8.88.430 Marker and regulatory buoys. |
These sections are hereby replaced in their entirety by the following Bonney Lake Municipal Code provisions, which shall apply exclusively within the City:
§ 10.22.060 Speed limits – Fresh water. |
§ 10.22.070 Personal watercraft. |
§ 10.22.080 Marker and regulatory buoys. |
(Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
The following statutes and regulatory provisions of the state of Washington are hereby adopted by reference as if set forth in full herein: Chapter 79A.60 RCW and WAC Title 352 regarding regulation of recreational vessels and Chapter 88.02 RCW and Chapter 308-93 WAC relating to registration of vessels; provided, that RCW 79A.60.130 is amended by BLMC § 10.22.025. No person shall operate on any waters of the city, nor launch onto any waters of the city any vessel not in compliance with said vessel regulations.
( Formerly 16.16.020; Ord. 636 § 3, 1991; Ord. 636A § 1, 1994; Ord. 636B § 2, 1997; Ord. 1028 § 3, 2004; Ord. 1366 § 3, 2010; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023; Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
A.
Every motor-powered vessel shall at all times be equipped with a functioning underwater exhaust or a properly installed and adequately maintained muffler or other similar device to reduce the sound of engine exhaust. A person shall not remove, alter, or otherwise modify in any way an exhaust or muffler system in a manner that will prevent it from being operated in accordance with this chapter; nor shall a person use a muffler or pipes with pinched outlets, holes or rusted-through areas, or similar condition or defect where the result of the condition or defect does or could increase the level of noise of the motor-powered vessel over the level that would reasonably result if the motor-powered vessel were equipped with standard and/or properly maintained equipment.
B.
It is unlawful for any person to operate upon any lakes, rivers and all other waters within the corporate boundaries of the city, under any condition of speed, load, acceleration, or deceleration in such manner as to exceed noise level of 75 decibels (dB), as measured from any point on the shoreline of the body of water on using the SAE shoreline testing procedure on which the vessel is being operated and 70 dB as measured from the water or when moored. The 70 dB noise level measurement shall be done using the SAE stationary test procedure. In addition, it shall be unlawful for any person to operate upon any lakes, rivers and all other waters within the corporate boundaries of the city any motor-powered vessel between sunset and sunrise, where the noise level exceeds 60 dB as measured using the SAE shoreline test. All sound measurement will be performed to standards provided in Chapter 352-67 WAC, Vessel Sound Measurement Procedures.
C.
It is unlawful for any person operating a watercraft upon any lakes, rivers and all other waters within the corporate boundaries of the city knowingly to cause or make, or knowingly to allow or permit to originate from the watercraft, a public disturbance noise in violation of BLMC § 9.07.010, including the following:
1.
The frequent, repetitive or continuous sounding of any horn or siren, except as a warning of danger or as specifically permitted or required by law;
2.
The creation of frequent, repetitive or continuous sounds in connection with the starting, operation, repair, rebuilding or testing of any watercraft, so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of others, including owners or possessors of real property;
3.
Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing, particularly between sunset and sunrise or at any time and place so as to unreasonably disturb or interfere with the peace, comfort and repose of others, including owners or possessors of real property;
4.
Sound from any audio sound system, such as tape players, radios and compact disc players, operated at volumes so as to be audible greater than 50 feet from the watercraft itself or which unreasonably interferes with the peace, comfort and repose of others, including owners or possessors of real property.
D.
The following types of sounds shall be exempt from this section:
1.
Sounds created by safety and protective devices where noise suppression could defeat the intent of the device;
2.
Sounds created by a warning device not operating continuously for more than five minutes;
3.
Sounds created by emergency equipment for emergency work necessary in the interest of public safety for the health, safety, and welfare of the community;
4.
Sounds created by the normal docking, undocking and waterskier pick-up and drop-off operations.
E.
Any officer authorized to enforce this chapter who has reason to believe that a vessel is not in compliance with the noise levels established in this section may direct the operator of the vessel to submit the vessel to an on-site test to measure noise level, and the operator shall comply with such request. If the vessel exceeds the decibel levels established in this section, the officer may issue a notice of infraction and/or direct the operator to take immediate and reasonable measures to correct the violation.
F.
Any officer who conducts vessel sound level tests as provided in this section shall be qualified in vessel noise testing. Qualifications shall include but may not be limited to the ability to select the appropriate measurement site and the calibration and use of noise testing equipment.
G.
A violation of this section is an infraction punishable up to a maximum penalty of $500.00. Each day, location, violator and incident shall constitute a separate infraction under this section.
( Formerly 16.16.025; Ord. 1366 § 4, 2010; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023)
Violation of this chapter is a misdemeanor, except (A) as otherwise specified, or (B) where the state statute or regulation adopted has been classified as a gross misdemeanor or an infraction, in which case the state classification shall control.
( Formerly 16.16.030; Ord. 636 § 4, 1991; Ord. 636A § 2, 1994; Ord. 636B § 3, 1997; Ord. 1366 § 5, 2010; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023; Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
No person shall use or operate any watercraft powered by an internal combustion engine upon the waters of Lake Bonney. A person may use or operate watercraft powered by an electric trolling motor or any other nonmotorized watercraft upon the waters of Lake Bonney. Even if not in use, no internal combustion engine shall be on board any watercraft on Lake Bonney. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following special exceptions shall be lawful:
A.
The mayor of the city of Bonney Lake, or his designee, may authorize special occasion permits for the use and/or operation of watercraft powered by an internal combustion engine on Lake Bonney for ceremonial and other appropriate purposes consistent with appropriate utilization and conservation of the lake.
B.
The officers and employees of governmental law enforcement, fire and research agencies are exempt from the provisions of this section and need not obtain a written permit for the use and/or operation of watercraft powered by an internal combustion engine upon Lake Bonney; provided, that said use and/or operation is limited to the performance of the employees' duties.
( Formerly 16.16.040; Ord. 1191 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1392 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1701 § 13, 2023)
A. "Wake,"
for purposes of this chapter, means any visible trail of turbulence that produces white water at the bow or stern and is left in the water by a vessel.
B. "White water"
is frothy, aerated water produced when wave break of propeller wash mixes with air.
C. "Inlet Island/Interlake Island Channel"
means the body of water located between Inlet Island and Interlake Island, bounded by the four points described below and shown in Figure 1. The area enclosed by the lines connecting these four points constitutes the Inlet Island/Interlake Island Channel for purposes of this chapter.
 Figure 1 — Channel between Inlet Island and Interlake Island, courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey. |
1.
A point located 200 feet due north of the northernmost point of Inlet Island;
2.
The dock on the east side of the parcel located at 4932 197th Avenue East, Bonney Lake, Washington, on Interlake Island;
3.
A point located 200 feet south of the southernmost point of Interlake Island; and
4.
The dock on the west side of the parcel located at 4621 North Island Drive East, Bonney Lake, Washington.
(Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
A.
It is unlawful to operate a vessel at a rate of speed greater than will permit the operator in the exercise of reasonable care to bring the vessel to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.
B.
It is further unlawful to operate vessels at a speed creating a wake, within 200 feet of any shore, dock, bridge or public swimming area, or within 300 feet of any public boat launch.
C.
It shall be unlawful to operate a vessel in excess of five miles per hour within 100 feet of swimmers or any vessel.
D.
After legal sunset, it is unlawful to operate vessels in excess of five miles per hour on waters not otherwise regulated by the no wake speed limit.
E.
It is unlawful to operate a motor-powered vessel in a manner that produces a wake as defined in BLMC § 10.22.050, within the area located east of the eastern Interlake Island and west of Inlet Island, commonly known as the Inlet Island and Interlake Island Channel, except for the purpose of taking off and landing water-skiers from the property along the Inlet Island and Interlake Island Channel (see Figure 1 in BLMC § 10.22.050).
F.
Vessels shall keep the vessel on the right half of the Inlet Island and Interlake Island Channel and:
1.
Keep the skier directly behind the vessel;
2.
Maintain a distance of at least 200 feet behind all other vessels traveling in the same direction;
3.
Not pass another vessel in the Channel traveling in the same direction; and
4.
Come to a full stop and bring the skier aboard in the event that the Channel is obstructed or unsafe or unlawful to proceed.
(Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)
A.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft unless each person aboard that personal watercraft is wearing a personal flotation device approved by the State of Washington.
B.
A person operating a personal watercraft equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cutoff switch shall attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device as appropriate for the specific vessel.
C.
It is unlawful for any person to remove or disable a cutoff switch that was installed by the manufacturer.
D.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft during darkness.
E.
A person under the age of 16 shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of Pierce County unless they are under direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian who is on board that vessel.
F.
A person shall not operate a personal watercraft in a reckless manner, including recklessly weaving through congested vessel traffic, recklessly jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 yards of the vessel or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or recklessly swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision.
G.
A person shall not lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of 16.
H.
A personal watercraft operator shall obey BLMC § 10.22.060, Speed limits — Fresh water, and, in addition:
1.
Shall not operate at a speed or in a manner that produces wake within 200 feet of shoreline.
2.
Shall not operate at a speed exceeding five miles per hour within 100 feet of any vessel moored or underway.
3.
Shall not operate at a speed exceeding five miles per hour within 100 feet of swimmers.
4.
Shall not operate at a speed or in a manner that produces wake within 200 feet of a dock.
5.
A personal watercraft operator shall not create a wake, perform repetitive turning maneuvers (including donuts) within 300 feet of any boat launch.
I.
Subsections A through H of this section shall not apply to a performer engaged in a professional exhibition or participation in any regatta, race, marine parade, tournament, or other exhibition, provided that such event has been expressly authorized or otherwise permitted by the appropriate agency having jurisdiction and authority over such events.
(Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025; Ord. 1750, 2/10/2026)
A.
Marker buoys, approved by the Bonney Lake Police Department, may be placed as authorized, indicating the area of waters of the City within which it shall be unlawful to operate a vessel at speeds creating a wake. The Bonney Lake Police Department or authorized persons may place, move, remove, or replace marker buoys when deemed necessary by the Chief of Police.
B.
It shall be unlawful for any unauthorized person to deliberately damage, place, move, or remove any marker or regulatory buoy or distinguishing device.
C.
It shall be unlawful to moor any vessel or tie any object up to any regulatory buoy.
(Ord. 1741, 10/28/2025)