WHEREAS the public docks, wharves, and boat launch facilities within the District of Lake Country are municipal amenities intended primarily to provide equitable public access to Okanagan Lake, Wood Lake and Kalamalka Lake;
AND WHEREAS commercial operators such as dock construction companies, boat rental companies, charter operators, tour providers, and other water-based businesses may use public docks and launches to load passengers, stage vessels, or conduct business activities;
AND WHEREAS neighbouring municipalities including the City of Kelowna and City of West Kelowna have implemented licensing programs requiring commercial operators to obtain permits and pay fees for the use of public boating facilities;
AND WHEREAS such programs ensure fairness between commercial and non-commercial users, reduce congestion at public facilities, and enable municipalities to recover costs associated with maintenance, infrastructure upgrades, enforcement, and safety monitoring;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to prepare a bylaw and implementation framework for a Commercial Use of Dock and Boat Launch Licensing Program in the District of Lake Country that would:
- Require any business using municipal docks, wharves, or boat launches for commercial purposes to obtain an annual licence;
- Establish appropriate licensing fees based on comparable programs in the City of Kelowna and City of West Kelowna;
- Define permitted activities such as passenger pickup/drop-off, boat rentals, charter services, and other commercial operations;
- Provide enforcement provisions and penalties for unlicensed commercial activity; and
- Create a dedicated reserve or funding mechanism to ensure revenues collected from commercial users support the maintenance and improvement of municipal boating infrastructure