Browse questions by topic:

Harbor Membership & Fees

To become a harbor member, you must pay a $100 initiation fee and an annual $90 fee for a boat launch access code. A boat slip or PWC floating dock is optional and requires an additional fee.

Visit the Harbor Registration page for registration requirements and instructions.

If you choose not to register for a season, please contact the FLHPOA Harbormaster at flhpoa.bayview.harbor@gmail.com to request an extension of your harbor membership.

If you fail to register for two consecutive years, you relinquish your membership and must pay the $100 initiation fee again if you return.

As a harbor member, you are expected to remain alert to potential problems and help keep the harbor safe and secure. This includes keeping an eye on conditions around the piers and reporting issues such as untied boats, damaged piers, other safety concerns, and suspicious behavior.

Please report incidents using the Harbor Incident Report form.

Harbor fees are reviewed annually by the Harbor Committee and FLHPOA Board. Fees may change from year to year.

2027 Harbor Fees

  • Initiation Fee for New Harbor Members: $100
  • Boat Launch Access Code: $90
  • Inside Boat Slip Rental: $300 total ($210 for a boat slip + $90 for the boat launch access code).
  • Boat Slip Rental with Dock Box Installation: $1,300 total ($210 for a boat slip + $90 for the boat launch access code + $1,000 one-time dock box installation fee, including footing)
  • Outside (Permanent Pier) Boat Slip Rental: $400 total ($310 for a boat slip + $90 for the boat launch access code)
  • PWC Registration Fees: $25 for the first permit plus $5 for each additional permit
    Example: Two PWC permits would cost $30 total ($25 + $5).
  • PWC Floating Dock Rental: $350 per dock
    (Limit of two PWC docks per member. If all docks are rented, you may join the wait list.)
  • Inconvenience Fee for Late Registrations: $50

FLHPOA annual assessments do not pay for any expenses related to the harbors. The harbor fees contribute to the cost of maintaining the harbors and boat launches in Bayview and Chesney Shores. We have ongoing expenses to dredge and repair seawalls, provide buoys and other markers, and maintain the launches.

View the annual harbor budget  →

No. Harbor fees must be paid by cash or check. Credit cards are not accepted.

The Harbor Committee manages Bayview Harbor, both boat launches, and navigation of the waterways at both harbors.

Committee members also organize the annual Harbor Registration Day, carry out pier inspections, oversee dredging efforts, and respond to a variety of issues that arise over the course of the year.

The committee consists of a Harbormaster, three assistant harbormasters, and other members who wish to participate. They are always looking for residents interested in becoming more involved with the Harbor Committee. If you would like to join, assist with harbor operations, or simply attend a committee meeting, please reach out to the FLHPOA Harbormaster at flhpoa.bayview.harbor@gmail.com.

Back to Top

Harbor Registration

Yes, all new and returning FLHPOA harbor members must complete online pre-registration before the Harbor Registration Day event begins.

Visit the Harbor Registration page for registration requirements and instructions.

Each resident is limited to one boat slip.

Each resident is limited to two PWC floating docks.

You must either attend Harbor Registration Day or complete early-bird registration (typically between November and February but availability may vary from year to year).

Visit the Harbor Registration page for more information.

Beginning the second week of March (after the Harbor Registration Day event), a $50 inconvenience fee applies to returning residents.

Complete the online pre-registration, then email your Bayview/Orchard or Chesney Assistant Harbormaster to complete payment and pick up your assigned access code and permit stickers.

  • Bayview/Orchard: flhpoa.bayview.harbor.assistant@gmail.com
  • Chesney: flhpoa.chesney.harbor@gmail.com

You must provide:

  • Proof that your FLHPOA annual assessments are paid and current.
  • Current watercraft registration showing the vessel is registered in your name.
  • Proof of current watercraft insurance (with an expiration after May 1 of the current year).
  • The make and license plate number of your trailer and tow vehicle, if applicable.

The required registrations must be in your name and associated with your titled Fox Lake Hills property address.

All parties of co-owned boats must be members in good standing (up to date on their annual assessments) to be eligible for slip space.

If you are missing any required documents, your registration cannot be completed.

If you are unable to provide all required documents before Harbor Registration Day moves on to those on the waitlist, you risk losing your boat slip or PWC floating dock.

Harbor Registration Day follows this order:

  1. Returning slip/dock holders: Previous year’s slip/dock holders may retain their assigned slips/docks by registering their watercraft.
  2. Slip/dock changes: After all returning slip/dock holders have registered, any remaining open slips/docks are offered to current slip/dock holders who wish to move. Inside boat slip holders have priority over outside boat slip holders.
  3. Waitlist: Any slips/docks still available are assigned to qualified individuals on the slip/dock waiting list, in waitlist order.

Wait times vary, but the typical wait is one year. To join a slip/dock waitlist, you must be a harbor member and pay the $100 initiation fee and the annual $90 boat launch access code fee.

Your waitlist options depend on your current status:

  • If you already have a boat slip or PWC floating dock: You may join the waitlist for a PWC floating dock. Harbor members are limited to one boat slip and two PWC floating docks.
  • If you have boat launch access only: You may join the waitlist for a boat slip, a PWC floating dock, or both.

There is no additional fee to join a waitlist if you are already a harbor member. However, you must continue paying the annual $90 boat launch access code fee to remain on the waitlist.

To join the waitlist, contact the FLHPOA Harbormaster at flhpoa.bayview.harbor@gmail.com.

After all active harbor members have completed registration on Harbor Registration Day, the Harbormaster determines how many slips/floating docks are available for people on the waitlist.

Names will be called in waitlist order. If a slip/dock is available and your name is called, you must be present to register for it. If you are not present, the next person on the waitlist will be called, and your name will be removed from the list.

If a slip/dock becomes available after Harbor Registration Day, the Harbormaster will contact people on the waitlist in order until all available slips/docks have been filled.

Your unique boat launch access code allows you to use the boat launches in Bayview and Chesney.

A boat launch access code is required to have a boat slip or PWC floating dock, even if you use a marina service and never plan to use the boat launches. This requirement applies to all harbor members with a slip/dock.

Yes, you must still complete the registration process to receive your unique boat launch access code and obtain your FLHPOA permit stickers.

Visit the Harbor Registration page for registration requirements and instructions.

Back to Top

Pier Maintenance & Inspection

Yes. Before you can use your assigned boat slip, your pier must be maintained and pass inspection.

You and your pier partner are expected to work together to maintain the pier each year. Responsibility for general maintenance alternates based on the slip number and year: the holder of an even-numbered slip is responsible in even-numbered years, and the holder of an odd-numbered slip is responsible in odd-numbered years. Both pier partners are responsible for major repairs.

If you are unable to take on the responsibility of maintaining the pier, please do not register for a slip.

When maintaining or repairing your pier, you must follow the FLHPOA Pier Specifications and Requirements. This document outlines pier construction, dimensions, hardware, and painting requirements.

Yes. You may install marine fenders, preferably white, to help protect boats and maintain the appearance of the harbor.

Download or print the Pier Inspection Form and follow the repair and inspection instructions. If you have questions about any of the listed requirements, refer to the FLHPOA Pier Specifications and Requirements.

After completing the required repairs and painting, sign and deliver the inspection form to the Harbormaster or an assistant harbormaster as soon as possible.

After receiving your completed form, the Harbor Committee will make every effort to inspect your pier within 48 hours. You will be notified by email, text, and/or phone once your pier passes inspection.

All piers must pass inspection by 5pm on the third Sunday in May. If you need more time, contact the FLHPOA Harbormaster at flhpoa.bayview.harbor@gmail.com to request an extension.

Back to Top

Harbor Boat Launches

To access the boat launch, you must register with FLHPOA and obtain an annual boat launch access code. Visit the Harbor Registration page for registration requirements and instructions.

No. Each harbor member must have their own boat launch access code. Family members who reside in different households may not share access codes.

Harbor members are not allowed to share their access codes with anyone. A guest may use the boat launch only when the harbor member is present and enters their own access code.

Residents who share their code with another person will be fined twice the annual boat launch access code fee and may lose eligibility to register for the following season. Residents who use someone else's code without having purchased their own will be fined twice the annual boat launch access code fee.

Yes! Harbor members may use the boat launches even if they do not keep their boat in the water. You must pay the annual $90 fee to receive your unique boat launch access code and display current-year FLHPOA permit stickers on your boat and trailer.

Yes, you must follow these rules:

  • Launch piers are strictly for loading, unloading, and launching boats.
  • After launching, boats and PWCs must be moved immediately to the outside edge of either launch pier. They may stay there for a maximum of 15 minutes.
  • Launch ramps must not be obstructed while waiting for tow vehicles or loading boats.
  • Boats in the water have the right of way on the ramps.
  • In Bayview, vehicles and trailers must be separated and parked side by side.

Back to Top

Homeowner Boats & PWCs

The FLHPOA Harbor Rules & Regulations document outlines the rules and requirements for using the harbors, boat slips, and boat launches.

View the Harbor Rules & Regulations PDF  →

Yes. Security cameras are operational in both harbors and record activity 24/7. The cameras help protect members’ property and investigate incidents when needed.

If you observe suspicious activity, damage, theft, or unusual behavior, please report it and document the approximate date and time so the footage can be reviewed efficiently.

Please report incidents using the Harbor Incident Report form.

You may begin using your boat slip only after your pier has passed its annual inspection. All piers must be approved by the third Sunday in May.

No. Boat lifts are not permitted at FLHPOA harbor slips. Please review the Harbor Rules & Regulations for additional requirements regarding pier equipment and modifications.

All boats and PWCs must display the required current FLHPOA, Fox Waterway, and Illinois DNR stickers. The FLHPOA permit sticker must be visible from shore.

Trailers, except those belonging to guests, must display a current-year FLHPOA permit sticker when using the boat launch. Place the trailer permit sticker on the winch post.

A boat safety inspection is recommended but not required. For information about legally required safety equipment for your watercraft, please see The Handbook of Illinois Boating Laws and Responsibilities.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources provides information about boater safety courses on its website.

No. PWCs may not be tied up at boat slips. Members who want to keep a PWC in the harbor must rent a designated PWC floating dock or use the boat launches for in-and-out access.

No. A boat in your boat slip must be registered in the name and at the address of the FLHPOA harbor member who holds the slip. You may not use your slip to store a watercraft registered to a family member, friend, or other non-member. The same applies to PWC floating docks.

Yes. Boats must operate at no-wake speed within 150 feet of shore, including the harbor entrance. Boats must be completely off plane and traveling level before entering this zone.

All recreational flotation devices must be stowed on board before entering the harbor. Towing or riding on flotation devices within the harbor is prohibited. Violations will result in an immediate fine.

Please also be mindful of the roped-off swimming area in front of the beach at Bayview Park. For the safety of swimmers, do not operate boats or PWCs near this area.

Electricity in the harbor may be used for general maintenance of piers and boats.

Overnight hookups are not permitted without special permission. If you need to charge your boat or PWC batteries overnight, contact the FLHPOA Harbormaster at flhpoa.bayview.harbor@gmail.com to request permission.

Section 23 of the Harbor Rules & Regulations addresses seasonal boat removal.

Boats are strongly recommended to be removed from the harbor by the first weekend in November, when the Army Corps of Engineers lowers the water level.

If your boat is not removed by then, it may become stuck and require heavy machinery for removal. Any such removal must be approved by the Harbormaster and supervised by the Harbormaster or an Assistant Harbormaster to help prevent damage to seawalls, piers, ramps, and grass areas.

The harbor member is responsible for all costs to repair damage caused during removal and may lose the right to register for a harbor slip the following year.

FLHPOA does not have any regulations regarding boat/PWC storage on private property.

However, homeowners must comply with all applicable Lake County ordinances regarding parking and storing boats/PWCs on their property.

Back to Top