We will no longer be accepting applications for Commercial Permits.

In order to obtain any type of mooring in the Chicago Harbors, you must complete the mooring permit application and submit it, along with the required deposit of $15.00 per foot of the size of the boat. This deposit will be applied to your first bill. If you choose to cancel your application, you will be reimbursed your total deposit, less an administrative fee of $50.00 (prices subject to change). Make checks payable to “Chicago Park District”. All major credit cards accepted.

Please note that the boat’s title, registration and ownership must be the same as the applicant’s for the mooring permit.

Assignments of new applicants begins after renewals of current permittees are completed and transfers are processed.
Renewal payments for current permittees are due by December 15th.  The transfer process will begin shortly afterward, after which we will begin assigning new applicants to the remaining available moorings in date order.
Though we will not know specific availability until then, general availability can be viewed at https://www.chicagoharbors.info/availability/
You may fill out an application on-line and submit it electronically or fill out an application in person at our harbor office at:

Westrec Marinas
1521 S. Linn White Drive, 1st Floor South
Chicago, Illinois 60605

If you have any questions, email us at westrec@chicagoharbors.com
Or call our main office at (312) 741-3601.

General Information

The Chicago Park District operates 10 harbors: Montrose, Belmont, Diversey, DuSable, Monroe, Burnham, 31st Street, 59th Street, Jackson Outer and Jackson Inner. Each harbor has different characteristics and mooring types from stalls to dry moorings to serve all segments of the boating community. Consult Marine Department staff for more information. A Late Leaver Permit must be purchased for those boaters wanting to use moorings after October 31. Late Leavers may stay until November 15, but facilities may be winterized before then.

Mooring Assignment Procedures

New applications, and transfers, are date stamped and entered into “the registers” in chronological order. All mooring assignments are made accordingly. “The registers” are public documents and can be viewed during office hours in the Marine Department office: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Assignments are made in the following sequence: 1.) Outsized boaters; 2.) Transfers in the same harbor; 3.) Transfers from other harbors; and 4.)New applicants. For a complete description of the assignment process, please read the Rules and Regulations.

Environmental Requirements

Lake Michigan is a precious resource held in public trust. Boaters are required to have sanitation systems incapable of overboard discharge. Federal and local laws make it illegal to dump plastic or other trash anywhere in navigable waters such as Lake Michigan. Boaters are urged to recycle wastes such as aluminum, glass, plastic and engine oil at facilities provided in each harbor. Pumpout stations for sewage are provided free of charge in all harbors. Under no circumstances can they be used for pumping oil, fuel, or bilge wastes. Heavy fines and/or revocation of permit will ensue for environmental violations.

Refunds

Upon written request of withdrawal, application fees will be refunded less a $50 processing charge. The $50 fee for Transfer Requests and $30 fee for Change Forms is non-refundable. If a mooring assignment is accepted, mooring fees are refundable as follows: Full refund until March 1st, 80% refund until May 1st and half refund until July 1st, no refund after July 1st.

Parking and Monroe Harbor Tender Passes

Boaters receive one free parking pass per boat for gated lots in assigned harbors. Additional parking passes may be purchased (except at Monroe). Monroe Harbor boaters also receive access to Monroe Harbor Tender Service for a mandatory $315 fee assessed at time of invoicing.  Parking and tender dock access code are issued by Harbor Managers as boaters check in.

Disabled Access

Mooring facilities are available for disabled boaters. Accessible parking, washrooms and showers are also provided. The Chicago Park District also manages the “Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program” in Burnham Harbor utilizing specially designed sailboats for the physically challenged. Consult the Marine Department staff for details.

Renewals

Renewal invoices are mailed in early October. If minimum is not paid by December 15th, berthing spaces are reassigned to Transfer Applicants, and New Applicants as specified in the Rules and Regulations.  Late fees apply to all past due payments.