Washington boat rental laws
10 rules for boat and jet ski rental businesses in Washington, from 6 official sources.
Rental-specific lawWashington has a 'vessels for hire' statute (RCW 79A.60.710) listing what every rental business must do before renting, plus a rental route around the boater education card: renters of 15 hp+ motor vessels without a card must review and sign a State Parks checklist. PWCs may not be rented to anyone under 16.
Instruction before every rental
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Before renting, the livery explains life jacket requirements; for waterskiing it equips a skier-down flag and explains observer and life jacket rules; for a PWC it provides a life jacket and an engine cut-off lanyard for the operator.
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RCW 79A.60.710 — Vessels for hire—Requirements—Application of section—Penalty“(g) Explains the personal flotation device requirements to the person renting, leasing, chartering, or otherwise using the vessel; … (i) If the vessel is a personal watercraft, provides a personal flotation device and a lanyard attached to an engine cutoff switch for the operator”
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No one may rent out a motor vessel of 15 hp or more without first reviewing the State Parks motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist with the renter and everyone the renter may let operate it.
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RCW 79A.60.640 — Requirements to operate motor-driven boats/vessels—Exemptions—Penalty“(6) No person shall permit the rental, charter, or lease of a motor-driven boat or vessel with an engine power of fifteen horsepower or greater to a person without first reviewing with that person … all the information contained in the motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist.”
Boater education card for renters
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Before renting a motor vessel, the livery must see proof of a boater education card from renters and operators who need one; otherwise each must review, initial and sign the checklist in front of the rental agent and keep it aboard.
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WAC 352-78-090 — How do the boater safety education program requirements affect rental operators and liveries?“(a) Reviews, initials, and signs the motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist in the presence of the rental agent before they may operate the rental motor vessel; and (b) Retains the issued copy of the motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist on board”
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A renter at least 12 years old who completes the approved checklist each time before operating a rented 15 hp+ motor vessel does not need a boater education card; PWC operators must still meet the PWC age rules.
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RCW 79A.60.640 — Requirements to operate motor-driven boats/vessels—Exemptions—Penalty“(d) Any person at least twelve years old renting, chartering, or leasing a motor-driven boat or vessel with an engine power of fifteen horsepower or greater who completes a commission-approved motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist each time before operating”
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The required checklist serves as a temporary education card for the term of the rental agreement, but for no longer than 60 consecutive days.
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WAC 352-78-070 — What document can be used temporarily in lieu of a boater education card?“(4) A person who legally rents a motor vessel and is otherwise required to possess a commission-issued boater education card may use the required motor vessel safety operating and equipment checklist as a temporary education card”
Age limits
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A personal watercraft may not be leased, hired or rented to anyone under 16.
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RCW 79A.60.190 — Operation of personal watercraft—Prohibited activities—Penalties“(6) A person shall not lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to a person under the age of sixteen.”
Jet ski (PWC) rentals
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Everyone aboard a PWC must wear an approved life jacket, the operator must attach the engine cut-off lanyard, no PWC operation during darkness, and no one under 14 may operate a PWC.
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RCW 79A.60.190 — Operation of personal watercraft—Prohibited activities—Penalties“(3) A person shall not operate a personal watercraft during darkness. (4) A person under the age of fourteen shall not operate a personal watercraft on the waters of this state.”
Safety equipment
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A business with vessels for hire may not rent one unless it shows its registration numbers and valid decal, carries copies of the registration certificate and rental agreement, and has the required number and type of life jackets for those aboard.
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RCW 79A.60.710 — Vessels for hire—Requirements—Application of section—Penalty“(1) No person who has vessels for hire, or the agent or employee thereof, shall rent, lease, charter, or otherwise permit the use of a vessel, unless the person: (a) Displays the vessel registration numbers and a valid decal on the vessel hull as required by RCW 88.02.550(1);”
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State Parks says officers may cite both the operator and the owner of a rented vessel for missing required safety equipment; the owner must ensure the boat is properly equipped.
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Washington State Parks — Boat Rentals“Law enforcement officers may cite the operator and owner of a rented vessel for not having required safety equipment. The owner of the vessels must ensure that the boat is properly equipped.”
Records to keep
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For vessels that must be registered, the livery provides a copy of the rental agreement to be kept aboard during the rental period, and keeps a copy of the registration certificate aboard.
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RCW 79A.60.710 — Vessels for hire—Requirements—Application of section—Penalty“(b) Keeps a copy of the vessel registration certificate aboard the vessel, in compliance with RCW 88.02.340; … (d) Provides a copy of the rental agreement to be kept aboard during the rental, lease, charter, or use period for vessels required under chapter 88.02 RCW to be registered;”
Not confirmed yet
What we looked for and could not confirm from an official source. Ask the agency before you assume anything here.
No state licence or permit for the boat-rental business itself was found in chapter 79A.60 RCW or WAC 352-78 (whitewater river outfitters, who carry passengers, are licensed separately and are not rentals).
No state insurance requirement for rental businesses was found.
The content of the checklist form itself (WAC minimum requirements) was not reviewed; State Parks supplies the form on request.
Federal rules still apply
On top of Washington law, the federal rules apply to every boat you rent out:
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Under federal law a boat leased, rented or chartered to someone else for their pleasure is a “recreational vessel” — so the federal recreational boating rules apply to your rentals.
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46 U.S.C. § 2101 — General definitions“"recreational vessel" means a vessel— (A) being manufactured or operated primarily for pleasure; or (B) leased, rented, or chartered to another for the latter's pleasure.”
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Every recreational vessel needs at least one wearable Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board for each person, used as its approval label says; boats 16 ft or longer also need one throwable device.
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33 CFR § 175.15 — Personal flotation devices required“At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person; … No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard”
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A child under 13 aboard a recreational vessel under way must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket unless below decks or in an enclosed cabin. Where a state has its own child life jacket law, the state age applies on its waters instead.
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33 CFR § 175.15(c) and § 175.25“No person may operate a recreational vessel under way with any child under 13 years old aboard unless each such child is either— ( 1 ) Wearing an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard; or ( 2 ) Below decks or in an enclosed cabin.”
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If the state has a statute requiring children of a certain age to wear a life jacket, that state requirement applies on the state's waters instead of the federal under-13 rule.
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33 CFR § 175.25 — Enforcement of State requirements for children to wear personal flotation devices“If the applicable State statute establishes any requirement for children of a certain age to wear an appropriate PFD approved by the Coast Guard, then that requirement applies on the waters subject to the State's jurisdiction instead of the requirement provided in § 175.15(c) of this part .”
Official agencies
Who makes and enforces these rules in Washington.
Questions rental operators ask
Do I have to give renters instruction before a rental in Washington?
Before renting, the livery explains life jacket requirements; for waterskiing it equips a skier-down flag and explains observer and life jacket rules; for a PWC it provides a life jacket and an engine cut-off lanyard for the operator. Source: app.leg.wa.gov, checked October 18, 2026.
Does a renter need a boater education card in Washington?
Before renting a motor vessel, the livery must see proof of a boater education card from renters and operators who need one; otherwise each must review, initial and sign the checklist in front of the rental agent and keep it aboard. Source: app.leg.wa.gov, checked October 18, 2026.
How old must a renter be in Washington?
A personal watercraft may not be leased, hired or rented to anyone under 16. Source: app.leg.wa.gov, checked October 18, 2026.
What are the rules for jet ski rentals in Washington?
Everyone aboard a PWC must wear an approved life jacket, the operator must attach the engine cut-off lanyard, no PWC operation during darkness, and no one under 14 may operate a PWC. Source: app.leg.wa.gov, checked October 18, 2026.
For your renters
Free boating-law page for Washington on VesselSOS — link it from your booking confirmation.
Washington boating laws for boatersFree tools for rental operators
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