Private moorage in the Southern Gulf Islands and Southeast Vancouver Islands
Last updated on September 3, 2026The B.C. government has developed a draft long-term plan, called a draft Strategic Management Plan (SMP). This plan will help manage private moorage in the marine environment in the Southern Gulf Islands and Southeast Vancouver Island.
The draft SMP was developed in consultation with First Nations as well as an advisory group that included representatives of waterfront property owners, dock owners, science and conservation organizations, recreation groups, tourism and economic development organizations, and local governments.
The draft SMP sets out guidelines and requirements to better protect the marine environment and provide greater clarity for current dock owners, and people who want to build private moorage in this area. Once finalized, the SMP will help guide how private moorage applications are considered in this area.
The B.C government is now seeking public feedback on the draft plan. Find out more about the plan and how to provide feedback below.
On this page
- How to participate
- Why this matters
- About the draft SMP
- What this means for existing private moorage owners or applicants
How to participate
The public is invited to provide input on the draft SMP. Through this engagement we are seeking input to better understand:
- How people use and value the foreshore in the study area and what matters most about these areas
- How private moorage currently affects uses and enjoyment of the foreshore in positive or negative ways
- Whether the draft SMP’s approach to managing private moorage appropriately balances protection of the marine environment with the needs and interests of people who own, use, or are affected by private moorage
Input will help us refine and finalize the SMP. Once finalized, the SMP will guide future decision-making about private moorage applications in this area.
Review the draft SMP to learn more
Review the draft SMP to understand what’s being proposed:
Take the survey
After reviewing the draft SMP, complete an online survey to share your opinions about it. The survey will close for feedback at 11:59 pm PT on October 18, 2026.
Why this matters
The foreshore in the Southern Gulf Islands and Southeast Vancouver Island is the area between high and low tide and is public land managed by the B.C. government. These areas are very important for their ecological diversity They hold deep cultural, spiritual and economic significance for First Nation communities. They are also used by residents and local businesses for recreation and economic activities.
Private moorages are popular amenities for many waterfront residents in the area and have been built both with and without the required approval. The placement, maintenance or use of a private moorage within the study area requires authorization from the B.C. government and, where applicable, approvals from other regulatory authorities.
In 2021, the B.C. government paused new applications for private moorages in this area to better understand and account for impacts on the environment and on First Nations’ rights, as well as cumulative effects.
The Southern Gulf Islands and Southeast Vancouver Island is the traditional territory of numerous rights-holding First Nations who have stewarded its lands and waters since time immemorial.
About the draft SMP
A key focus of the draft SMP is to protect the environment. It aims to reduce ecological impacts caused by private moorages by:
- Using zoning based on environmental sensitivity
- Setting best practices for how moorages are designed, constructed and used
- Considering the combined impact of many moorages and other shoreline development, over time (cumulative effects)
Once finalized, the SMP will apply to the management of private moorage located on provincial Crown land within the foreshore of the Southern Gulf Islands and Southeast Vancouver Island (consult map above). Specifically, the SMP will apply to:
- Applications for new private moorage authorizations, including authorizations for previously constructed but unauthorized private moorage
- Applications for replacement authorizations for existing private moorage
- The modification or repair of existing private moorage
No changes are being proposed to the management of private moorage in freshwater or to the management of other dock types in this area such as group moorage, strata moorage, commercial docks and marinas, which are not considered in the draft SMP.
First Nations provided input during the development of the draft SMP. However, the plan is not a formal agreement with First Nations and does not resolve broader issues about coastal management or First Nations’ rights. The B.C. government still has a duty to consult with First Nations and this will continue to occur through existing consultation processes for individual private moorage applications. The SMP helps the B.C. government make decisions in a more consistent and clearer way, while longer-term discussions about coastal stewardship and reconciliation continue.
What this means for existing private moorage owners or applicants
The draft SMP includes proposed requirements for new and, in some cases, replacement and existing authorized private moorage. It is intended to help property owners in the study area understand what is expected when applying for a new authorization and how existing private moorage may need to be maintained, repaired or upgraded over time.
Guidance for owners of existing, authorized private moorage
The draft SMP does not include requirements to remove or relocate a private moorage with an existing authorization (in good standing or expired). It does include proposed requirements that existing private moorage must meet within specified time periods or when repairs, replacements, or maintenance are undertaken.
Those with existing, authorized private moorage in the study area are encouraged to review the draft SMP, consider the proposed requirements related to existing docks, and provide feedback through the survey.
Guidance for those who have already submitted applications
Numerous property owners submitted applications for new or replacement private moorage authorizations before the B.C. government implemented a Land Act section 10.1 prohibition restricting the submission of applications in the study area. These were put on hold pending expiry of the prohibition (which occurred on March 31, 2026) and completion of the SMP.
Once the SMP is completed, review of these applications will resume under the guidance of the SMP. More information regarding the timeline and specific process for these reviews will be provided at that time. It is currently anticipated that applicants will not be required to resubmit their applications, and that reviews will generally be based on information already submitted, and additional information requested only where required. Given the high volume of applications that have been on hold, it is anticipated that it will take an extended period to review all outstanding applications. At this time, FrontCounterBC cannot provide additional information about the timing of specific applications.
Those who have already submitted an application for new private moorage are encouraged to review the draft SMP, specifically consider the proposed requirements related to new docks and provide feedback through the survey.
Those who have already submitted an application for replacement authorizations are encouraged to review the draft SMP, specifically consider the proposed requirements related to existing docks, and provide feedback through the survey.
Guidance for those interested in applying for new private moorage
The previous Land Act section 10.1 prohibition restricting the submission of private moorage applications in the study area ended on March 31, 2026.
While FrontCounterBC is once again accepting new applications, those interested in applying for a new authorization are encouraged to wait to apply until after the SMP is finalized because the final SMP is expected to guide how applications are reviewed, including where private moorage may be permitted and what siting, design and environmental requirements apply.
Those interested in applying for a new private moorage are encouraged to review the draft SMP, specifically consider the proposed requirements related to new docks and provide feedback through the survey.
Guidance for owners of private moorage that was already constructed without approval
Section 60 of the Land Act requires that those who occupy Crown land have authorization to do so. If you operate a private moorage that has not previously been authorized, you may apply for authorization following the same process as would be followed by someone seeking authorization to construct a new private moorage and all associated components of the SMP would apply. As outlined above, those interested in applying for a new authorization are encouraged to wait until completion of the SMP because the final SMP will guide how applications are reviewed, including where private moorage may be permitted and what siting, design and environmental requirements apply.
Such owners are encouraged to review the draft SMP, specifically consider the proposed requirements related to new docks, and provide feedback through the survey.
Section 59 of the Land Act provides the B.C. government with the ability to pursue enforcement mechanisms against those who do not have authorization.