23-04-2025
Senate adopts measure for boat docks with roofs
A bill advanced from the Senate that would regulate the construction of roofs on docks in Iowa. (Photo by Perry Beeman/Iowa Capital Dispatch))
Senators advanced a bill Wednesday to create regulations and insurance requirements for adding roofs on boat docks, slips or lifts in Iowa.
Senate File 710 allows individuals to build roofs over boat slips or lifts so long as they are less than 30 feet wide, no more than 20 feet above the water and made from rust-resistant materials. The roofs may be constructed with the intent of protecting a boat slip or hoist.
Sen. Annette Sweeney, R-Iowa Falls, added an amendment to the bill, which was adopted, to swap the bill's original language regulating an 'enclosed structure' on a dock to 'roof.'
The bill stipulates the dock owners must maintain dock liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence, and that owners will be responsible for any damages caused during construction of the roof.
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Sen. Dave Sires, R-Cedar Falls, said he had 'a lot of issues' with the bill, which he said would allow large docks to be built when there is 'limited oversight or background regulation' on the construction and removal of existing docks.
'Improperly constructed or maintained docks can break loose and cause significant damage to neighboring properties and public infrastructure during floods and high winds,' Sires said.
Sires said flooding events in 2024 highlighted the issue when 'improperly anchored' docks caused 'widespread damage' in Iowa waterways. Sires held that roofs on the docks would cause even more damage.
He additionally took issue that the bill would allow plumbing and electricity to the roofed docks, which he said could be used for a bed and breakfast.
The bill states that the roofed docks may not be used for 'sleeping purposes or habitation by a person,' but Sires was unconvinced that would stop people from sleeping on the docks.
'Like nobody's ever slept on their own boat or their own house boat,' he said. 'And they'll be doing that in the docks too,' Sires said.
Sires said the bill would allow docks that are a 'huge conglomerate' to sit on the lakes.
'We all together own these lakes,' he said. 'When you start to put these monstrosities out there, it's going to make it bad for everybody.'
The bill passed 44-4 from the Senate.
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