LEAGUE CITY — City Council has approved a new ordinance aimed at regulating liveaboard boats and addressing the growing problem of abandoned vessels on Clear Lake.

Mayor Nick Long said the ordinance is the result of more than a year of work, prompted by concerns raised by residents, marina operators, and state officials.

“This really started with abandoned boats in the lake,” Long said. “About 18 months ago, there were roughly 26 abandoned boats out there, and that creates a whole range of problems.”

According to the mayor, abandoned vessels have posed navigation hazards, caused damage to bulkheads during storms, and created environmental risks due to leaking fuel and oil. Some boats were partially submerged, making them difficult to detect and dangerous for other boaters.

City officials worked alongside the Texas General Land Office to assess conditions on the lake and quickly realized the issue extended beyond abandoned boats. Long said some vessels had been left in marinas before eventually drifting into open water, while others were being used as unregulated liveaboards.

Compounding concerns were two high-profile homicide cases that occurred at local marinas over the past 18 months, prompting city leaders to examine safety and oversight more closely.

“We realized we had an issue with unspecified, unregulated liveaboards,” Long said.

League City took the lead in crafting a solution after discussions with neighboring municipalities around Clear Lake, many of which expressed interest in adopting similar regulations if League City established a workable framework.

The newly approved ordinance introduces a permit process for liveaboard vessels. Under the program, boats used as residences will be inspected to ensure they are seaworthy, properly managing waste, and not discharging sewage directly into the lake. The ordinance also places expectations on marina conditions to ensure facilities meet safety and environmental standards.

The second major component of the ordinance addresses abandoned boats at marinas, aiming to prevent vessels from being pushed into the lake where they become a broader public and environmental problem. The policy outlines procedures for identifying abandoned boats and steps for handling them before they pose greater risks.

“What we don’t want is for those boats to just end up in the lake and become everybody’s problem,” Long said.

City officials held workshops earlier this year to gather feedback from residents, marina operators, and council members before refining the ordinance. Long said that input helped shape the final version passed by City Council on Tuesday.

The city says the ordinance is intended to improve public safety, protect the environment, and bring clearer standards to marinas and liveaboard vessels throughout League City.