Jackson County Commission bars living aboard vessels at county marina

The Jackson County Commission on Jan. 28, 2026, voted unanimously to amend county campground and marina rules to prohibit the residential use of rented boat slips at Jackson County Park Marina. Commissioner Kevin McBride moved the change and Commissioner Chris Gulley seconded.

Under the adopted rule, "the rental of any boat slip within the Jackson County Park Marina shall be for recreational purposes only and shall in no manner be utilized for residential purposes." The motion defines "living on" a vessel as staying overnight while moored in the marina for more than ten nights within any 30-day period. The policy requires each boat slip renter to maintain a permanent residential address outside the Jackson County Park and Marina.

Current renters who have an existing Recreational Rental Agreement and are in full compliance at the time of adoption were granted a 90-day period from the date of adoption to comply with the new rule. The Commission made the amendment effective on the first day of the month immediately following adoption. Chairman Bill Nance presided over the session and all five commissioners voted in favor; no commissioners opposed or abstained.

The rule applies to all Recreational Rental Agreements and amends existing agreements accordingly. The Commission did not record additional implementation details or enforcement procedures in the meeting record; the minutes state only the text of the motion and the 90-day compliance window. The amendment passed as part of the consent and business portion of the Jan. 28 meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Commission is scheduled for Feb. 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the commission boardroom.