SEATTLE — Seattle has approved a new shoreline plan that won’t allow new houseboats to take up residence.
KIRO Radio reported Seattle’s existing houseboats — immortalized in the movie “Sleepless in Seattle” — will be allowed to stay.
The updated shoreline program, which was approved June 1, has been in development about eight years. The Lake Union Liveaboard Association has fought for at least five years to keep houseboats from being booted from the city.
The shoreline program takes effect June 15. There will be a verification process for all floating on-water residences to make sure they are legal. In 2012, the city estimated there were 150 illegal floating residences. The Seattle Times reported the owners tried to claim their floating homes were actually vessels and not subject to regulations.
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