Are there boating speed limits?
Speed on the water is restricted to reasonable and prudent for conditions at that time, unless otherwise posted, such as a no wake zone. No wake zones are areas where a boat cannot create a wake or exceed 5 mph. Learn more about boating regulations by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Are there laws for how loud a boat can be?
Unless a boater has been issued a special permit, no boat can be operated on the water that emits a sound level in excess of 86 decibels. Laws also regulate the types of muffling devices that are required and must be functional on an engine. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Are there motor size restrictions for lakes in Arizona?
Motor restrictions for Arizona lakes can be found in the Arizona Fishing Regulations. Most cities set restrictions for urban lakes. For additional information about motor restrictions on urban lakes, call the recreation department of the appropriate city. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Can I leave my boat anchored/moored in a lake?
Arizona does not permit mooring except in two anchorage areas, Lake Mead and Lake Powell. You cannot leave your boat anchored or tied up on any lake or river. You can be cited for interfering with the free use of public waterways and placing mooring buoys without authorization. The Arizona Game and Fish Department has aggressively and successfully been prosecuting watercraft owners who illegally moor their watercraft on Lake Havasu. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Can my boat group have a race?
Any boating event that may bring together a group of watercraft and may interfere with normal public use of the waterways requires a U.S. Coast Guard marine event permit. When the Coast Guard receives the permit application, it will ask for input from a variety of agencies along the waterway about potential impacts to life, property and habitat. The ultimate goal is safe, compatible use of Arizona’s waterways. If the event can be conducted in a safe manner with no impact to other users, then you may be issued a permit. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Do I need to register my boat in Arizona?
Watercraft used primarily in Arizona must be registered here. Vessels registered in another state or country may operate on Arizona waters for 90 consecutive days before Arizona registration and numbering are required. After that, any watercraft that uses gas or electric motors must be registered in Arizona. If it uses paddle, oars and sail only, it does not need to be registered. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
Does the open container law apply to boats?
There is no open container law that addresses boats. However, state law prohibits operators from being impaired to the slightest degree. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
How do I get a title?
Arizona is a registration only state and does not issue titles on watercraft. There is a sign- off area on the top back of the registration to be used when you sell or transfer the watercraft. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
How do I place my AZ number and decals on my watercraft?
The AZ number shall be painted on or attached to each side of the forward half of your watercraft. It shall read from left to right, be in block letters not less than three inches high, and be of a color that contrasts with the color of the hull. It shall be the only number on the forward half of your boat and should be clearly visible from 100 feet away during daylight hours. The letters AZ and the suffix shall be separated from the numerals by a hyphen or equivalent space.
The decals shall be affixed 3 inches in front of the AZ on both sides of the forward half of the watercraft. See the example below.
Learn more about Arizona boating laws and regulations.
How do I register my boat?
It depends on your circumstances. If the boat is new, you need three things:
- A complete bill of sale, which must include:
- The name(s) of buyer (if there is more than one buyer on the bill of sale, then both must fill out and sign the application) and seller
- hull ID number
- length of boat
- Manufacturer
- purchase price and sales tax paid
- A completed application
- Proper registration fees and license tax
If the boat is used and previously registered in Arizona, you will need the following:
- A registration signed off by the previous owner(s), releasing ownership on the back of the certificate, OR a bill of sale with the name of buyer and seller, signature of seller, hull ID number, length, manufacturer and purchase price. A bill of sale showing sales tax paid is required in addition to the registration if the boat was purchased from a watercraft dealer.
- A completed application form (this could be from the back of the registration certificate or on form 1532 provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department)
- Proper registration fees, license tax and transfer tax
If the boat is used and previously registered or titled in another state, you will need the following:
- Original title (if coming from a title state) or original registration (if coming from a registration state), which is signed off by the previous owner(s)
- If purchased by a watercraft dealer, a bill of sale showing sales tax paid in addition to the title or registration
A completed application form
- Proper registration fees and license tax
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How do I transfer my boat trailer?
The Arizona Motor Vehicles Division handles trailer registrations. The MVD Web site is azdot.gov/mvd. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
How much does it cost to register or renew my boat?
Fees are determined by length of the boat. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
I live in another state, what are the requirements to boat in Arizona?
Nonresident watercraft may operate in Arizona for a period of 90 days without Arizona registration, provided the watercraft is in compliance with the numbering system of the U.S. Coast Guard or the home state of registration. If the watercraft continues to operate on Arizona waters, it must be registered with the Arizona Game and Fish Department before the 90-day period ends. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
I’m selling my boat, can I get a temporary permit to for buyer test drives?
No, a temporary permit is not available. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
This is the first time I renewed my watercraft. Why did my expiration month change?
All new watercraft registrations issued are valid for twelve months. The second year of registration will be for 7-18 months (fees and tax are pro-rated appropriately) to fit into the "staggered registration system" wherein the expiration date is determined by the last two digits of the "AZ" number.
Learn more about Arizona boating laws and regulations.
What are the requirements to operate a watercraft ?
Arizona law states that it is illegal for a person under the age 12 to operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower, which includes personal watercraft, unless an emergency exists or another person at least 18 years of age is onboard. Learn more about boating regulations at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/watercraft.
What is a Colorado River Special-Use Stamp?
Colorado River Special Use Stamps are required when fishing from a boat on waters that form mutual boundaries between Arizona and California or Nevada. Utah Lake Powell Stamps affixed to a valid Arizona state fishing license allow an Arizona resident to fish the Utah portion of Lake Powell. Learn more about fishing regulations in Arizona by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/fish.
What is a hull identification number?
A hull identification number (or HIN) means a number assigned to specific watercraft by the manufacturer or by a government jurisdiction as prescribed by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is similar to a car's vehicle identification number. All watercraft manufactured after August 1972 are required by federal law to have a 12 digit HIN. your watercraft will require inspection if it is homemade or newer than the 1972 and does not have a conforming HIN number.
Learn more about Arizona boating laws and regulations.
When is the next (hunter, boating, fishing) education class?
Public education classes are posted on the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at azgfd.gov/education.
Which boats must be registered?
All motorboats must be registered in Arizona regardless of their size, construction, or type and size of motor. This includes, for example, inflatable rafts, sailboats and canoes with motors (including electric motors). Exceptions to the registration requirement include watercraft used solely as lifeboats and those documented by the U. S. Coast Guard.
Learn more about Arizona boating laws and regulations.
