History, Policy, and Implications of the Float Home Moratorium in British Columbia

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Historical Background​

Floating homes—residences built on flotation systems and moored to aquatic or “foreshore” Crown land—have been part of British Columbia’s coastal landscape for generations, particularly in the Lower Mainland and coastal communities.

In 2017, the Province of British Columbia imposed a moratorium on new approvals for water licences designated for floating homes and floating-home communities. Initially described as a temporary measure to allow the government “time to develop Floating Home Policies,” the moratorium has been renewed every two years since then, with no substantive policy progress.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS) has cited several reasons for maintaining the freeze—ranging from environmental concerns and foreshore management to First Nations access, public safety, and the absence of a clear regulatory framework for floating-home developments.

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Policy Framework​

The current rules fall under the Floating Home Community Policy and Float Home Policy, administered by the Ministry of WLRS under the Crown Land management regime.

Under these policies:

• A floating home is defined as a structure built on a flotation system, intended for permanent residential use, and not designed for navigation.

• A floating home community refers to two or more floating homes connected to shoreland by a common walkway or ramp, with potable water, electrical, and sewage systems.

The central policy statement reads:

“Applications for floating home community use of aquatic Crown land will not be accepted.”

In practice, this means the Province is not issuing new tenures or leases for floating homes or floating-home communities on aquatic Crown land.

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Impacts and Current Issues​

The moratorium has created significant obstacles for individuals and developers seeking to establish new floating homes. With no open application process and no clear timeline for change, potential projects face financing, tenure, and approval barriers.

In Ladner (City of Delta), where local area plans include float homes as part of the community’s housing mix, the provincial moratorium prevents new applications from moving forward. Delta’s MLA has noted that applications cannot proceed without an approved Policy Land Operational (PLO) framework.

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Rationale and Debate​

According to the Province, the moratorium remains necessary to:

• Develop a coherent policy framework and consult with First Nations.

• Evaluate cumulative impacts on aquatic ecosystems, public access, and foreshore rights.

• Ensure any new developments meet current building, plumbing, safety, and environmental standards.

However, advocates for the floating-home community argue that the moratorium unfairly targets one group of homeowners.

“There is a substantial amount of inaccurate and misleading information within the government. It all comes down to lack of understanding by the Ministry of WLRS—a clear form of discrimination.”
— Simon Everatt, President, South Fraser River Enhancement Society (SFRES)

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Debunking Environmental Misconceptions​

“Float homes dump their sewage into the river.”
→ False. The City of Delta requires all float homes to connect to municipal sewer systems or approved onsite treatment plants.

“Float homes impede navigation.”
→ Incorrect. All docks, floats, and vessels must remain within boundaries defined by their WLRS licence, which includes regulated setbacks from navigation channels.

“Float homes interfere with river maintenance.”
→ Misleading. As Deputy Minister Loris Halls confirmed in a letter to SFRES:

“WLRS is not responsible for conducting dredging or issuing contracts to do so. Additionally, WLRS does not hold funding to support dredging programs or needs within the Lower Fraser.”
If WLRS does not perform river maintenance, the claim that float homes impede it is questionable.

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Clarifications

• The floating home policies apply only to new applications for Crown water-lot licences.

• New float homes are built to modern building codes, inspected by municipalities, and often constructed in shipyards, minimizing environmental impact.

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Recent Developments​

As of September 15, 2025, the provincial website reaffirmed that:

“The Province of British Columbia currently does not accept applications for floating home communities.”

The moratorium remains in effect, with reviews scheduled every 24 months, and no clear timeline for resolution.

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Why It Matters for Communities

For municipalities such as Delta and Ladner, floating homes represent a valued and distinctive form of waterfront living. The moratorium prevents these communities from expanding or introducing new floating-home neighbourhoods—despite local planning support.

From a housing perspective, advocates argue that float homes offer sustainable, low-impact, and innovative housing options in a region struggling with affordability. The moratorium, however, halts this potential.

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Why It Matters for Homeowners

The prolonged moratorium has created widespread uncertainty among float-home owners:

• Mortgages are difficult or impossible to secure.

• The market is limited to cash buyers only.

• Insurance options are scarce.

• Property values have declined due to tenure insecurity.

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SFRES Advocacy

The South Fraser River Enhancement Society (SFRES) has been actively advocating since 2023 to have the moratorium lifted.

Key actions include:

• Engaging directly with the Ministry of WLRS to request the abolition of the moratorium.

• Meeting with City of Delta officials, council members, and the local MLA to gain municipal support.

• Hosting a site visit by Minister Randene Neill to review the policy’s local impacts.

• Urging the City of Delta to take over the Commercial and Residential Head Lease, enabling more local control.

• Raising awareness within float-home communities and collaborating with First Nations and other advocacy groups.

SFRES continues to call for transparency, fairness, and updated provincial policy that recognizes the long-standing presence and contribution of British Columbia’s floating-home communities.

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 Interested in helping us achieve our goals? 

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