(a) The owner of each vessel requiring numbering by this state shall file an initial application for a number with the department or with an agent authorized by the department on forms approved by the department. The forms shall be prepared in cooperation with the Division of Boating and Waterways. The application shall contain the true name and address of the owner, the true name and address of the legal owner, if any, and the hull identification number of the vessel as may be required by the department. The application shall be signed by the owner of the vessel and shall be accompanied by a fee of nine dollars ($9), in addition to the fees required under subdivision (b).

(b) (1) Whenever the fee for original registration of a vessel becomes due between January 1 and December 31 of any even-numbered year, the application shall be accompanied by a fee of ten dollars ($10), in addition to any other fees that are then due and payable.

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Terms Used In California Vehicle Code 9853

  • Department: means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14. See California Vehicle Code 290
  • Legal owner: is a person holding the legal title to a vessel under a conditional sale contract, the mortgagee of a vessel, or the renter or lessor of a vessel to the state, or to any county, city, district or political subdivision of the state, under a lease, lease-sale, or rental-purchase agreement which grants possession of the vessel to the lessee for a period of 30 consecutive days or more. See California Vehicle Code 9840
  • Owner: is a person having all the incidents of ownership, including the legal title, of a vessel whether or not such person lends, rents, or pledges such vessel. See California Vehicle Code 9840
  • Vessel: includes every description of watercraft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except the following:

    California Vehicle Code 9840

(2) Whenever the fee for original registration of a vessel becomes due, or is filed with the department, between January 1 and December 31 of any odd-numbered year, the application shall be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars ($20) in addition to any other fees that are then due and payable.

(c) (1) The department shall collect, separate from the original registration fee, a quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention fee in an amount established by the Division of Boating and Waterways pursuant to § 675 of the Harbors and Navigation Code.

(2) Failure to pay the quagga and zebra vessel infestation prevention fee described in paragraph (1) does not prohibit the department from issuing registration of a vessel.

(3) (A) A vessel operator may be issued a citation for operating a recreational vessel in nonmarine waters without a valid state-issued quagga and zebra mussel infestation prevention sticker.

(B) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a vessel that is exempt pursuant to Section 5211 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations shall not be cited pursuant to subparagraph (A).

(d) The department shall provide documentation of its administrative costs pursuant to this section to the Division of Boating and Waterways.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 831, Sec. 5. (AB 1150) Effective January 1, 2024.)

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