Frequently Asked Questions

About Easements and Lakefront Development

Q.	How do I find out if my property has deeded access to an easement?
A.	Call our office at 503-636-1422, ext 1. We have the database of properties with deeded rights. Give us your address and we can get you an answer quickly.

Q.	How do the easements work?
A.	There are 20 easements that allow lake privileges through deeded access to over 3,000 homes around the lake. Deeded access was granted by the original property owner, Oregon Iron and Steel, as they platted their lake and surrounding property. Each easement has its own board of directors, amenities, and fees structure. After calling our office to find out which easement or easements you are eligible to join, see Easements to get contact information.

Q.	My easement has a waiting list for getting a boat slip. Do I have any other options for getting my boat on the lake?
A.	Yes. If you are current in paying easement dues, you can moor your boat at Griffen/May Company, located in the two story office building down by our marina. They might also have a waiting list, but typically their slips turn over more rapidly than those at the easements. Call Chris Brynelson at (503) 635-8844, ext 14 for more information. You also have the option to “day use’ the lake. Limitations are: 1) You must pull your boat from the lake prior to our closing, 7PM nightly during summer hours. 2) We have nowhere to park your car and trailer on the premises. 3) Boats entering the lake must either be decontaminated at one of the approved facilities before launch, or must be wire tied to trailer denoting that they have not been in any other body of water since the last time they were in the lake.

Q.	Can I join any easement on the lake?
A.	No. You can only join the easement, or in some cases easements, that were designated to your property in the original granting deeds. We can supply that information to you by calling our office at 503-636-1422, ext 1

What are the steps to getting my boat on the lake?

1. You must first join your easement as a "power boat" member. The easement will supply you with a licensing application. Bring this to us when you are ready to license.

2. You must be current with state regulations; current boat tags and each operator must have an Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) Boater Education Card. You will need to pass a written test to receive this card. Go to www.boatoregon.com and follow the path to OSMB Boater Education Card. We need a copy of your Boater Education Card (or equivalent certificate) for our files.

3. If you are a new owner of the boat, you must supply a copy of the temporary certificate of number.

4. To be eligible for Oswego Lake licensing, you must first be current with regards to your annual assessment. Assessments are invoiced annually, mailed out in January, and are due by the end of March. The cost is determined by the number of feet of waterfront in your lot.

5. Prior to licensing a power boat, we must have a current valid certificate of boater's insurance on file at the Marina office. Beginning in 2007, the minimum liability requirement is $500K, raised from the previous minimum of $300K. We request that the LOC be listed as an "additional insured party" on the policy. We require that all boat operators pass LOC written and practical driving tests. The written exam comes out of information in the LOC Rules and Handbook. Copies are available at our office. Practical exams (boat driving tests) are scheduled through our office, typically during the months April through September. All boat drivers must have a Lake Oswego Operator's License.

6. Your boat must have a properly displayed Lake Oswego boat license. Both the boat and operator licenses are renewed annually.

7. The maximum boat length is 22 feet and the maximum weight is 3500 lbs. dry weight.

8. One powerboat license is included in Shareholders' Common Lake Maintenance Fee, paid yearly with the assessment. Additional powerboat licenses for Shareholders are $400 for 10 hp or more, $170 for 9.9 hp or less. Powerboat licenses for Easement members are $1,160.

9. No wake enhancement devices of any kind are allowed on the lake. Boats with wake enhancement devices must have them disabled according to LOC approved guidelines by an LOC certified boat mechanic prior to being licensed. Owners of these boats must also sign an agreement not to use wake enhancement devices on the lake.

10. The ramp fee is $10.00.

11. To minimize the risk of introducing non-native plants into the lake, first-time boats coming on the lake must be decontaminated at an LOC authorized facility. Follow this Link for more information.