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Home My WebLink AboutOrdinance 49-O-25 Amending City Code Section 7-11-7, “Regulations of City Boat Ramps, Boating Activities” to Add A Life Jacket Requirement 9/29/2025 49-O-25 AN ORDINANCE Amending City Code Section 7-11-7, “Regulations of City Boat Ramps, Boating Activities” to Add A Life Jacket Requirement WHEREAS, the Dempster Street Sailing and Launch Facility located at 1251 Lake Shore Boulevard provides a space for patrons to launch non-motorized vessels on the shores of Lake Michigan; and WHEREAS, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department has seen a large increase in the amount of recreational users launching from Dempster Street Beach, some of whom need rescue assistance from sailing staff or the Evanston Fire Department, and WHEREAS, in order to improve the safety of all patrons along the lakefront, the Parks and Recreation Board unanimously approved a rule requiring users of the Dempster Street Boat launch to wear a United States Coast Guard (USCG)- approved life jacket; and WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council finds that it is in the best interest of the City of Evanston to amend City Code Subsection 7-11-7 and require the users of the Dempster Street Boat Launch to wear a life jacket; BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS : 1 of 5 49-O-25 SECTION 1: City Code Subsection 7-11-7, “Regulations of City Boat Ramps, Boating Activities” of the Evanston City Code of 2012, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows: 7-11-7. – REGULATIONS OF CITY BOAT RAMPS, BOATING ACTIVITIES. (A) Permit Required. Season permits are required for launching motorized craft from the Church Street boat ramp. Season or daily permits are required for launching nonmotorized craft from the Church Street boat ramp. Season or daily permits are required for launching from the Dempster Street boat ramp. (B) Boat Launching and Mooring. 1. Church Street Boat Ramps. Sailboats over fourteen feet (14’) long and all motorized watercraft (including personal watercraft) shall launch only from this ramp. Launching shall occur only between five o’clock (5:00) A.M. and eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M. 2. Dempster Street Launch Facility (Carry-In Ramp). a. Only sailboats fourteen feet (14') long and under, which are not motorized, all carry-in boats, and sailboards shall launch from this ramp only. b. All persons, regardless of age or swimming ability, must be wearing a Type I, II, or III, United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket when launching from the Dempster Street Boat Launch and while the vessel is underway. Types IV, V, and inflatable life jackets are not permitted. 3. Nonpermit Holders. Permittees shall not provide access in any manner to the boat ramps to nonpermit holders for the purpose of launching any motorized watercraft, carry-in boat, sailboat, or sailboard for which a permit has not been issued. 4. Mooring Of Boats. Boats are prohibited from mooring within three hundred (300) yards of shore except where authorized. (C) Motorized Watercraft Restrictions 1. Time Limit. Operators of such watercraft shall not tie up for more than fifteen (15) minutes at the Church Street boat ramp. 2. Overnight Docking. No overnight docking is permitted at the Church Street boat ramp except for vessels owned or operated by the City of Evanston and vessels performing emergency rescue operations. 3. No Wake In Launch Zone. Operators of such watercraft shall not cause a wake when entering or leaving the launching area. 4. Safety Zone. No motorized watercraft are permitted within one hundred fifty feet (150') east of the line of buoys designating the no wake zone, special 2 of 5 49-O-25 use zone and the swimming beaches except for launching and retrieving of motorized watercraft. 5. No Wake Zone. Operators of motorized watercraft shall not cause a wake within the no wake zone designated as eight hundred feet (800') eastward from the shoreline beginning at the midpoint between the Church Street breakwall and the Dempster Street breakwall and stretching northwest to the easternmost point of the Church Street breakwall. 6. Special Use Zone. Eight hundred feet (800') perpendicular eastward from the shoreline beginning at the midpoint between the Church Street breakwall and the Dempster Street breakwall and stretching southwest to the easternmost point of the Dempster Street breakwall. a. No motorized watercraft shall be permitted within the special use zone without a special permit. b. Requirements for special permit shall be promulgated in the Special Events Policy adopted by the City Manager or his/her designee. (D) Windsurfing. 1. Only one person is permitted on a single windsurfing or similar board. (E) Closure. The City Manager or a designee may close the launch facilities based on existing conditions or staffing capabilities. (F) Rules and Regulations. The City Manager or a designee may promulgate rules and regulations to enforce this Section. (G) Penalties. Any person violating Subsections (A) and (B)3 of this Section shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each offense. (H) Administration and Enforcement. 1. Administration. The Director of Parks/Forestry and Recreation ("Director") is charged with the administration of this Chapter. 2. Suspension or Revocation of Permit. Upon recommendation of staff, the Director or his/her designee may suspend or revoke any permit issued under the provisions of this Chapter if he/she determines that the permittee has violated Subsections (B)3, (C)4, (C)5 and (C)6 of this Section. 3. Fine in Lieu of Suspension or Revocation. In lieu of suspension or revocation of a permit the Director may, instead, levy a fine on the permittee. The fine imposed shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each violation. Each day on which a violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. 4. Hearing; Decision; Fees. a. Notice of Hearing. No such permit shall be suspended or revoked and no permittee shall be fined except after a public hearing by the Director with a seven (7) day written notice to the permittee affording the permittee an opportunity to appear and defend against the charges contained in such notice. The seven (7) day notice provisions 3 of 5 49-O-25 shall begin the day following delivery by certified mail or by personal service. b. Director’s Decision. The Director shall, within seven (7) days after such hearing, if he/she determines after such hearing that the permit should be revoked or suspended, or that the permittee should be fined, state the reason for such determination in a written order and either the amount of the fine, the period of suspension or that the permit has been revoked, and serve a copy of such order within the seven (7) days upon the permittee. Fines shall be paid to the City within thirty (30) days of said decision. SECTION 2: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 3: If any provision of this Ordinance 49-O-25 or application thereof to any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Ordinance that can be given effect without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid application of this Ordinance is severable. SECTION 4: Ordinance 49-O-25 shall be in full force and effect after its passage and approval. SECTION 5: The findings and recitals contained herein are declared to be prima facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as provided by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and the courts of the State of Illinois. 4 of 5 49-O-25 Introduced: _________________, 2025 Adopted: ___________________, 2025 Approved: __________________________, 2025 _______________________________ Daniel Biss, Mayor Attest: _______________________________ Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk Approved as to form: ______________________________ Alexandra Ruggie, Corporation Counsel September 29 September 29 5 of 5