Rules & Regulations for Obtaining a Mooring Permit  
(Adopted 3/28/05; Amended 01/25/11) 
The Harbormaster, appointed by the Selectboard, will be responsible for carrying out all the rules and regulations adopted for operating the Town Mooring Area. The Harbormaster will be supervised by the Town Manager. 

Harbormaster Waiting List 
Position on the waiting list is determined by date of application. Shelburne residents will receive priority placement on the wait list. Boat size is also a factor due to swing limitations of specific moorings within the grid. Maximum boat length is 36 feet.  

If an applicant on the waiting list is contacted and offered a Mooring Permit, he/she will have seven (7) days to respond. If the applicant refuses the permit or does not respond in a timely manner or does not show valid proof that another location has already been contracted for the season elsewhere, his/her position on the waiting list will be relinquished and a new application will be required in order to be considered at a later date. Full payment will be required within ten (10) days of acceptance.  

As of January I, 1994, a non-refundable fee of $10.00 will be charged in order to file an application for a Mooring Permit with the Harbormaster. Checks must be made out to Town of Shelburne-Moorings.  

Fees for Mooring Permit
The fee for a Mooring Permit shall be set by the Selectboard each year. 
All checks are to be made payable to Town of Shelburne-Moorings. Full payment must be received by February 28th for the upcoming boat season.  

A cancellation fee equal to 50% of the mooring permit fee will be charged for any refunds issued until June 1st of the current permit year. No refunds will be issued after June 1st of any permit year.  

Payment of a mooring registration fee does not give the permit holder any right or claim to any specific location. It does give her/him the right to a location in the mooring management area that is suitable for the boat specified on file with the Harbormaster. 
 
Registration Period and Permits 

1. The maximum term of the mooring permit is indefinite, however, the Town of Shelburne reserves the right to impose limits as deemed necessary during any future year .At that time, current permit holders will only be allowed reapply for a permit one year before their present term expires. 
2. The yearly permit starts on March 1st and terminates on February 28th however, the harbormaster will specify the opening and closing dates of the mooring area.   
3. Renewal notices will be sent out in January of each year. The renew Mooring Permits must be accepted and paid for by February 28th. Failure do so will result in cancellation and reallocation to those on the waiting list.   
4. A Mooring Permit and location is not transferable. If the ownership of a boat changes and the prior owner (the Mooring Permit holder) does not have another boat to place on the mooring, and the new owner(s) desire that mooring location, the seller and the new owner(s) must notify the Harbormaster of the transaction in order to remain on the mooring for the remainder of the season. This Permit will terminate at the end of the season and will not be renewed.   
5. No Mooring Permit or mooring location can be rented or sub-leased. The permit is for the owners' boat registered on the permit only. This registration specifies the model, state registration or documentation number, and length. Allowing the mooring location to be used by a guest must be authorized by the Harbormaster.  
6. Mooring Permit holders are forbidden to increase the size of a boat on the mooring without approval of the Harbormaster.   
7. The Mooring Permit is for private non-commercial use. Permit holders are prohibited from chartering, selling, or brokering boats or carrying on such businesses, which involve the commercial or business use of mooring in any way. A casual private sale between private parties is not prohibited by this provision.  

Mooring Tackle
All mooring locations have been determined and concrete mooring blocks have been set in place according to a designed plan.

The ownership, care, maintenance and registration of all mooring tackle are the responsibility of the Town. All mooring tackle shall be subject to the approval of the Harbormaster and shall be tagged with mooring numbers.

Abandoned, unauthorized, or non-standard unusable mooring equipment may be subject to confiscation by the Harbormaster.  
 
Each year permit holders shall have their pennants inspected and made usable, to the satisfaction of the Harbormaster. Pennant diameter may be increased but the length may not be altered. Pennants must be attached in a manner specified by the Harbormaster.  
 
The Permit holder shall keep her/his mooring pennant usable at all times and if, in the opinion of the Harbormaster, the Permit holders pennant is not usable, her/his Permit shall be subject to revocation and the space allocated to a person on the waiting list maintained by the Harbormaster.  

Dinghys and Docks  
Vessels may not be left at Shelburne Bay Park, either in the water or on the beach, without a valid mooring permit.   

One dinghy per mooring assignment may be secured on the beach.  

The assigned mooring permit number must be affixed to the exterior of the dinghy transom. Unnumbered dinghies may be confiscated by the harbormaster and the owner assessed a $10 per day storage fee. 

The docks are intended for pick-up and drop-off only. Over-nighting on the docks is NOT permitted.  

Vessels left unattended on the dock or on an unassigned mooring may be subject to towing by the harbormaster and the owner assessed both towing and storage fee's.   

Rafting-up on the docks or moorings is prohibited.   

Dinghys must be removed from the beach prior to November 1st each mooring season.  

Appeals 
Interested parties may appeal any decision or act taken by the Harbormaster by filing a notice of appeal with the Town Manager. Such notices of appeal must be file within ten (10) days of the act appealed (from the date of the posting of a decision and a copy of the notice sent by the appellant to the Harbormaster. The Selectboard, shall set a date and place for a public hearing concerning the appeal, which shall be within thirty (30) days of the filing of the notice of appeal. The Board shall post in, least two public locations within the Town of Shelburne notice of the hearing, least fifteen (15) days prior to the hearing date. All hearings shall be deemed open to the public. The Board shall render its decision, which includes finding of fact, within fifteen (15) days after completing the hearing and mail a copy of such decision by certified mail (return receipt requested) to the applicant and to all interested parties* having appeared and been heard at the hearing.  

*Interested party - an applicant for a Mooring Permit; or any person who is found to have information that would assist the Board with its review.