Lake Corporation Services

The Lake Oswego Corporation (LOC) provides services for shareholders in accordance with the bylaws of the Corporation. These services are available through the Marina office during the normal operation hours.

Boat Decontamination

All boats and trailers entering Oswego Lake must be decontaminated to remove all plant matter prior to launch in order to guard against non-native plant and animal species which could be harmful to the lake. Aquatic Nuisance Species In Oregon - A Boater's Primer

• Boats must be decontaminated by an approved facility before they will be allowed to launch in Oswego Lake.
• R&M Marine and FMC Watersports are the two facilities authorized to decontaminate standard boats.
• R & M Marine is located in Lake Oswego at 17280 SW Boones Ferry Road. Their phone number is 503-635-3626.
• FMC Watersports is located in Portland just a few miles north of Lake Oswego at 6320 SW Macadam Ave. Their phone number is 503-473-8899.
• West Coast Classic Boat Restoration (for wooden boats): 7715 NE 33 rd Dr., Portland, 97211 503.331.6678
• Boats leaving Oswego Lake will receive a wire clip so they can re-enter the lake without being decontaminated again unless they are used in another body of water.

Boat Licensing

Shareholders' Boats and Operators must both be licensed to operate on Oswego Lake. Operator's Licenses expire each year on December 31 and must be renewed prior to operation the following year. License renewals are by mail only.

Shareholder's boats must be licensed annually by paying a license fee and attaching the license to the boat. Power Boats must also have a State of Oregon Marine License. Boats are licensed at different rates, power and non-power.

Operator Licenses

Operators must both be licensed to operate on Oswego Lake. Licenses expire on December 31 and must be renewed prior to boat operation the following year.

• Shareholders must pass a written and a practical exam given at the LOC prior to being licensed to operate a boat on the lake
• Shareholders must pay a $20 fee to receive an annual license.
• Shareholders 60 and under must hold an Oregon State Marine Board Boater Education Card.

OSMB Operator License

REMINDER- In 2008, all powerboaters ages 70 and younger must carry an Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) Boater Education Card that shows that the operator has passed an approved boater-education course or equivalency exam.

For boaters 71 years old or older the phase-in schedule is as follows:

2009 - All boaters must hold card.

For full details and information on how to study for this exam, visit OSMB's website.
On-line boater education material is located at the OSMB education webpage.

LOC Boat and Operator Licensing Instructions

IMPORTANT: Lake assessments must be paid and current valid insurance certificates must be on file for power boats before applications can be processed. The required minimum liability is $500,000.

1) RENEW WITH NO CHANGES Please include a check for licensing, date & sign the application where indicated. Please include proof of insurance, unless a current valid certificate is already on file with LOC. Be sure to provide Lake Oswego Corporation with missing information as noted in the memo section of the application. Failure to do so may delay processing of your application. It is imperative that LOC is provided with missing LOC plate numbers. Locating missing or stolen boats is often possible only with accurate plate numbers in the system and displayed on the craft.

2) RENEW WITH CORRECTIONS OR DELETIONS Make corrections to boat or operator statistics or cross out any items you wish to delete, and proceed with the instructions as listed in the "RENEW WITH NO CHANGES", section 1 above.

3) RENEWAL TO INCLUDE NEW BOATS. (NOT PREVIOUSLY LICENSED ON THE LAKE) All boats must be owned in full by the homeowner with deeded lake right. All powerboats regardless of horsepower must be included on current boat insurance policy. Verification of boat ownership must be provided. All power boats and sailboats 12 feet in length or greater, require state licensing. Please provide state license number on the application, include a copy of the title and follow instructions as stated in section 1 above.

4) RENEWAL TO INCLUDE OPERATORS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN LICENSED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS OR NEW OPERATORS Licensing requires a written exam and practical boat exam. After passing the written exam, a practical boat test is scheduled. Upon completion of the practical test, the operator’s license becomes permanent, which means annual renewal can be accomplished without further testing, unless 2 or more years pass without renewing. Names of those who need to be tested should be added to the application after the written exam has been completed and should be paid for at the time of testing.

5) FIRST TIME APPLICANTS Call the LOC office at 636-1422 or come by the office at 700 McVey for instructions. NOTE REGARDING INSURANCE: Licenses for power boats will not be issued unless proof of insurance (Minimum of $500,000 in Liability) has been received by the Lake Oswego Corporation. The LOC requests to be listed as an additional insured party on the policy. Insurance certificates can be faxed to the office at 636-3226. If you license in person at the LOC office, please arrange to have all pertinent insurance information with you at that time. Insurance companies often take up to a week to respond to your requests. It will be noted in the insurance section and/or the memo section of the application, if required certificate is not on file. REMINDER: Please remember that all required state and/or LOC licensing must be current and properly displayed before launching of any craft. Licensing will be verified by marina or LOC patrol staff. Please be advised that "Learners" (those who have passed the written test, but have not taken the driving test) cannot renew in the current year until they have completed the driving test.

Construction Permits

Any rimfront construction on the lake requires a permit from the Lake Oswego Corporation. Please call the LOC offices for more information.

Shareholders must obtain Building Permits prior to construction of all:

• Boat houses
• Sea walls

DOWNLOAD LOC BUILDING PERMIT PDF FILE HERE

OR Call the LOC Office to receive a copy by mail. (503) 636-1422

IMPORTANT:

• All heights on any construction will be measured from the waterline of 98.6 feet.  Please call the LOC (Lake Oswego Corporation) at 503.636.1422 for the current water elevation.

• Official approval on accepted plans will not be made until the LOC has received 3 copies of builder’s plans, one of which will be retained on file by the LOC.

• In addition, please provide an electronic copy of your plans on a Disc.

• Neighbors on either side of your property must be notified of your construction plans. Your neighbors’ signatures on the builder’s plans will meet this requirement.

• Shareholders must obtain a City of Lake Oswego Building Permit prior to construction.

Easements

Easements provide access to property owners in the city of Lake Oswego who have special deeded lake rights. Contact the Marina Office for details.