The following report comes from the Legislative Action Committee of the Floating Homes Association:
Our active Sausalito floating home community has just stopped a year-long attempt to roll back homeowner protections incorporated in the 2023 Floating Home Residency Law.
For now, Assemblymember Damon Connolly has rejected a proposal, launched by marina owners last March, to eliminate rent control and lift the prohibition on berth rent increases when a houseboat sells in place – both made part of the Floating Home Residency Law in 2023. Connolly wanted to be sure that any amendment had substantial support from floating homeowners. Through community action, he learned that no draft had that degree of support here.
Some marina owners responded to the 2023 changes in the Floating Home Residency Law by imposing new fees and regulations, as well as reduced lease terms upon renewal. The Floating Homes Association met with Assemblymember Connolly’s staff and county administrators to discuss changes to the law in exchange for limiting costs and fees imposed by marina owners.
February 26 was the deadline to introduce text for bills in this year’s legislative session. Because that date arrived without clear majority support from houseboat owners for any amendment to the law, Connolly did not submit a proposal to change the law. If there is evidence that the marina owners and our community can agree on amendments by late May, it is still possible that Connolly could identify a process for the law to be changed this year; otherwise, any change would need to wait until next year and would take effect in 2026. If no legislation is introduced to change or extend the current law by 2028, rent control and vacancy control for houseboats will end on December 31, 2029.
The FHA will continue to work within our community to discuss the issues of primary concern to the homeowners and to communicate those issues to government officials and the marina owners. FHA members who have listened to dock feedback at meetings this year understand it is important to give a voice to all sides in the discussion to reach the best and most informed result. We intend to provide an opportunity for all to express their differing views for you to hear and consider, then determine a method to allow each member of our community to weigh in on whether the law should be altered and under what terms.
The Floating Homes Association has engaged an experienced real estate lawyer to advise all members on the legality of the new fees and costs being imposed by the marina owners. This consultation could cost $11,500 and we need your support. Please contribute to this fund online or mail a check to: Sausalito FHA – 3020 Bridgeway #138 Sausalito, CA 94965.
Thank you for your support!