2015 California Code
Harbors and Navigation Code - HNC
DIVISION 3 - VESSELS
CHAPTER 5 - Operation and Equipment of Vessels
ARTICLE 1 - Operation and Equipment
Section 660.

660. (a) Any ordinance, law, regulation, or rule relating to vessels, which is adopted pursuant to provisions of law other than this chapter by any entity other than the department, including, but not limited to, any county, city, port authority, district, or any state agency other than the department, shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, pertain only to time-of-day restrictions, speed zones, special-use areas, and sanitation and pollution control, and the measure shall not conflict with this chapter or the regulations adopted by the department. Except as provided in subdivision (c), any measure relating to boats or vessels adopted by any governmental entity other than the department shall be submitted to the department prior to adoption and at least 30 days prior to the effective date thereof.

(b) The department may make special rules and regulations governing the use of boats or vessels on any body of water within the territorial limits of two or more counties, cities, or other political subdivisions if no special rules or regulations exist or if the department determines that the local laws regulating the use of boats or vessels on that body of water are not uniform and that uniformity is practicable and necessary.

(c) (1) Any entity, including, but not limited to, any county, city, port authority, district, or state agency, otherwise authorized by law to adopt measures governing the use and equipment, and matters relating thereto, of boats or vessels, may adopt emergency rules and regulations that are not in conflict with the general laws of the state relating to boats and vessels using any waters within the jurisdiction of the entity if those emergency rules and regulations are required to ensure the safety of persons and property because of disaster or other public calamity.

(2) The emergency rules and regulations adopted under paragraph (1) shall become effective immediately upon adoption and may remain in effect for not to exceed 60 days thereafter. The emergency rules and regulations shall be submitted to the department on or before their adoption.

(3) After submission of emergency rules and regulations adopted pursuant to paragraph (1) to the department, the department may authorize the adopting entity to make the emergency rules and regulations effective for the period of time greater than 60 days that is necessary in view of the disaster or circumstances.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 501, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2005.)