Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-110

§831h–3 Recreational Access

Title 16 › CHAPTER 12A — TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY › § 831h–3

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

A floating cabin is a boat or other floating structure meant mainly for people to live in or stay on, not for travel. The Board can allow floating cabins on waters the Corporation controls if the owner keeps them to the Board’s health, safety, and environmental standards, the Corporation allows recreational boats on those waters, and the cabin was already on those waters on December 16, 2016. The Board may charge owners reasonable fees if needed to make sure the rules are followed. For cabins that were on those waters on December 16, 2016, the Board cannot force removal for 15 years if the cabin had a permit before that date, or for 5 years if it did not. The Board must approve use once the cabin meets the rules and fees are paid. The Corporation can still enforce safety and environmental rules and may create rules to prevent new floating cabins.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §831h–3

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definition of floating cabin (b) Recreational access

In this section, the term “floating cabin” means a watercraft or other floating structure—

(1)primarily designed and used for human habitation or occupation; and

(2)not primarily designed or used for navigation or transportation on water.

(c)Fees

The Board may levy fees on the owner of a floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation for the purpose of ensuring compliance with subsection (b) if the fees are necessary and reasonable for such purpose.

(d)Continued recreational use

(1)In general

With respect to a floating cabin located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation on December 16, 2016, the Board—

(A)may not require the removal of the floating cabin—

(i)in the case of a floating cabin that was granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 15 years beginning on such date; and

(ii)in the case of a floating cabin not granted a permit by the Corporation before December 16, 2016, for a period of 5 years beginning on such date; and

(B)shall approve and allow the use of the floating cabin on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation at such time and for such duration as—

(i)the floating cabin meets the requirements of subsection (b); and

(ii)the owner of the floating cabin has paid any fee assessed pursuant to subsection (c).

(2)Savings provisions

(A)Nothing in this subsection restricts the ability of the Corporation to enforce reasonable health, safety, or environmental standards.

(B)This section applies only to floating cabins located on waters under the jurisdiction of the Corporation.

(e)New construction

The Corporation may establish regulations to prevent the construction of new floating cabins.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 831h–3

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110