
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in floating homes! Our FAQ section is designed to provide answers to the most common questions we receive from visitors like you.
We’ve organized the questions into helpful topic headings to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. If you're looking for something specific, feel free to use the search feature located at the top right-hand side of the page for quick navigation.
Whether you’re considering making a floating home your new lifestyle or you’re already part of the community, we hope our FAQ section will offer valuable insights and assist you in your journey.
If you don't find what you're looking for, please reach out.
Where can I find moorage for my floating home?
If you are looking for a berth in a marina or along the waterfront, you will quickly discover that moorage is limited. Due to a number of compounding factors, there are very few open spaces available for new float home moorage. It’s rare for a berth to come available in a marina for a new floating home. Most homes sell in situ and so the moorage goes along with the home (although moorage agreements aren’t necessarily transferable). The provincial government in BC has put a freeze on issuing new licences and leases for home and new marinas, which makes expansion of our lifestyle a challenge. If you have decided to build a new floating home, it’s a good idea to secure moorage before you start to build!
Can I anchor a floating home along the BC coast or in a lake?
The simple answer is – no. Floating home moorage must be approved by the province of BC in most areas. In limited areas, approvals come from Federal ministries or First Nations government, but in all cases, approval and a licence or lease must be secured ahead of time.
Every municipality has their own regulations regarding housing, and floating homes in particular. Although at the provincial level, there is legislation that prevents new floating home licenses and leases at this time, municipalities have the power to override that. We suggest you connect with your local municipal building and codes department as a first point of contact and go up the political ladder from there.
Who is the governing body in BC responsible for floating homes?
This question is somewhat location dependent. Currently most of the foreshore areas in BC where floating homes are moored are in the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Some areas are under federal jurisdiction (falling under the Port Authority, the Ministry of Transportation or the Ministry of Defense). Finally, a few marinas fall under First Nation jurisdiction. As such, there are a variety of different governing bodies.
Can I have a pet on a floating home?
Although there could be marina specific regulations, many floating home owners have pets. Cats are a common sight along docks and on decks of floating homes. In fact, many cats thrive in the marine environment! If you have a dog, you will need to be mindful of taking your pet along docks and up ramps to an appropriate place to “do their bizz”. In rare cases we have heard of animals who experience motion distress on a floating home, but most often animals do just fine.
Will I feel sea sick or experience motion sickness on a floating home?
Certainly anyone prone to motion sickness may feel uncomfortable on a floating home. The construction of your float, your lines and connections to the dock and where you are located all contribute to how your home will move on the water. The gentle movement becomes second nature to most people who live on the water. Movement is most notable when a boat goes by at higher speeds, creating a wake, and of course, when there is stormy weather. But even storms come with caveats as wind direction and tides can also affect the amount of movement you may feel.
There are a few floating home vacation rentals, it might be advisable to do a test run if this is a concern for you.
Are there floating home vacation rentals in BC?
Many marinas have strict regulations about short term rentals, but there are a few rental opportunities, here are a few that we are aware of. Please note that we have not stayed in these rentals and provide listings only, not reviews.
Fisherman's Wharf Floating Bed & Breakfast, Victoria, BC
Sailor's View Floating Home Ocean Retreat, North Vancouver, BC
Westbay Marine Village in Victoria, BC has three floating cottages: The Pink Dishrack, The Schoolhouse and The Admiral's Boathouse.
Why don't floating homes sink?
Where a land home has a foundation, a floating home is built on a float and it’s what keeps the home afloat in the water. Historically, floating homes were built on a log raft or barge. However, because a wooden barge can rot unless coated with fibreglass, and a steel barge can rust, the best options are aluminum or ferroconcrete, both foam filled to provide positive flotation if punctured. Some people wonder how a concrete barge can float. The principal is similar to an ocean liner – they displace a volume of water equal to their weight (actually mass) so that the water doesn’t come past the freeboard (the height between the bottom of the boat and the water line) or other opening.
How many floating homes are there in BC?
There are more than 800 floating homes in BC! Although many are moored in coastal marinas, others are moored along rivers and lakeshores. Some marina communities are exclusive to floating homes, others are mixed with boats and live-aboards, and in some cases, boat marinas may host one or two floating homes. Homes are typically privately owned although there are floating rentals and bed & breakfasts in selected locations. Marina communities range from strata-style developments where homeowners own their water lot, to marinas that provide moorage for privately owned homes. Marina communities in BC range from three to more than forty floating homes in a single marina.
What is the history of floating homes in BC?
Floating homes are a part of the fabric of British Columbia’s history and current economy. With origins in floating logging and fishing camps along the coast of the province, floating homes provide an alternative to crowded city spaces, connecting residents with a close knit community and the natural environment around them. In the late 1880s logging companies moved along the BC coast harvesting wood. Because road building was more challenging in those days, camps were built on floats, and moved along the coast to follow the harvest. This was the birth of the floating home in BC.