The St. Cloud City Council adopted an ordinance creating new sections in Chapter 48 (Waterways) to regulate personal watercraft operation and to establish permitting and operational rules for watercraft rental businesses that use city lakefront facilities.

Scott Davidoff, deputy city manager, said the ordinance responds to repeated safety concerns at city ramps and on the lakes and establishes a permitting system, safety and equipment requirements, environmental safeguards and an enforcement ladder. Key provisions include:

- Rentals permitted only at city‑owned lakefront parks/boat ramps; all business transactions and reservations must be off‑site and no on‑site advertising (tents, banners) is allowed;
- Businesses must register watercraft in the business name and carry specified liability insurance; rentals must be identified prominently on the craft;
- Operators must provide safety instructions to patrons and comply with state operator certification/age rules; operation is restricted during nighttime hours consistent with state rules;
- Fueling requires spill‑proof nozzles and fuel cannot be stored on the shoreline;
- Enforcement is progressive: initial warning, second violation stops operations for the day, third violation can cause permit forfeiture.

The council also approved annual permit fees the staff presented: $5,000 for businesses located in St. Cloud and $7,000 for nonresident businesses. Davidoff said permits will be administered by Parks & Recreation and enforcement will include code enforcement, police and parks rangers.

Why it matters: The ordinance is intended to allow controlled commercial rental activity while reducing conflicts and safety incidents at city ramps and on the lakes. It creates a city licensing pathway and specific operational standards.

What happens next: The ordinance was approved on first/second reading at the meeting and will be enforced by the city’s Parks & Recreation, Police and Code Enforcement divisions; Parks staff will process annual renewals under the new fee schedule.